Event information

29 March 2023, 18:30-20:00
Register start 27 February 2023
Register end 28 March 2023

Downloads

Flyer >

Special Tribunal for Aggression: Worth the Risk(s)?

Geneva Academy Talks

An explosion from an air bomb in the center of the city of Kharkov, the metro station Constitution Square, March 2022 An explosion from an air bomb in the center of the city of Kharkov, the metro station Constitution Square, March 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered heated debate on whether the international community should strive for the establishment of a 'Special Tribunal for Aggression'.

Such a tribunal would arguably be needed given the lack of competency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to adjudicate cases regarding the crime of aggression with regard to the acts currently committed in Ukraine, the obstacles to impose criminal justice for aggression in domestic national jurisdictions due to immunities, and the need to send a powerful deterrent message to prevent the future instances of aggression. However, the idea of such a new tribunal for crimes against peace has also been accompanied by criticism, specifically related to the undesired effects of selectivity of criminal justice and legitimacy of such a tribunal, issues with structural cooperation with the ICC, and difficulties to guarantee the independence of the special tribunal if the evidence for its trials is collected by national (in particular Ukrainian) courts.

This IHL Talk will explore various issues related to the potential establishment of a 'Special Tribunal for Aggression' and will discuss whether such a special tribunal is the best or at least the most appropriate option to make sure that the crime of aggression does not go unpunished.

Panelists will notably address the following points:

  • General suggestions put forward regarding different models of the special tribunal, specifically hybrid and ad hoc models as well as their implications in terms of collaboration with domestic courts and the ICC
  • Question of immunities (different views and arguments regarding personal and functional immunities with regard to the crime of aggression and which of the possible models would be best suited to overcome this procedural limitation)
  • Risks and dangers, selectivity and legitimacy of the 'Special Tribunal for Aggression', in Europe and beyond, including by looking at historical narratives.

Moderation

  • Ana Srovin Coralli, Teaching Assistant, Geneva Academy
  • Francesco Romani, Research Fellow, Geneva Academy

Panelists

  • Nataliia Hendel, Research Fellow, Geneva Academy and Professor of international law, International Humanitarian University in Odesa, Ukraine
  • Patryk Labuda, Research Fellow, University of Zurich
  • Lorenzo Palestini, Lecturer, Geneva Center for International Dispute Settlement

About IHL Talks

The IHL Talks are a series of events, hosted by the Geneva Academy, on international humanitarian law and current humanitarian topics. Academic experts, practitioners, policymakers and journalists discuss burning humanitarian issues and their regulation under international law.

Video

 

Special Tribunal for Aggression: Worth the Risk(s)?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered heated debate on whether the international community should strive for the establishment of a 'Special Tribunal for Aggression'. Panelists explores various legal issues related to the potential establishment of such a tribunal and discussed whether such a special tribunal is the best or at least the most appropriate option to make sure that the crime of aggression does not go unpunished.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

disops News

Impact of digital disinformation unpacked in new research brief series

9 April 2025

Our new series of Research Briefs examine the impact of digital disinformation and potential solutions for its regulation

Read more

Mô Bleeker News

UNSG Special Adviser Mô Bleeker Becomes Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy

15 April 2025

Mô Bleeker, UNSG Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, shares how her work as Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy contributes to our shared goals.

Read more

Event

Strengths and Challenges of Inter-State Applications Before the European Court of Human Rights

22 May 2025, 18:30-20:00

In this Geneva Academy Talk Judge Lətif Hüseynov will discuss the challenges of inter-State cases under the ECHR, especially amid rising conflict-related applications.

Read more

Asian workers working at technology production factory with industrial machines Training

Business and Human Rights

19-23 May 2025

This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

15-19 September 2025

Participants in this training course will gain practical insights into UN human rights mechanisms and their role in environmental protection and learn about how to address the interplay between international human rights and environmental law, and explore environmental litigation paths.

Read more

A session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

IHL Expert Pool

Started in January 2022

The IHL-EP works to strengthen the capacity of human rights mechanisms to incorporate IHL into their work in an efficacious and comprehensive manner. By so doing, it aims to address the normative and practical challenges that human rights bodies encounter when dealing with cases in which IHL applies.

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

War on Minorities’ Under the Guise of Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

published on December 2024

Beatrice Meretti

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Navigating Pathways Toward Transitional Justice in Ukraine

published on October 2024

Robin van der Lugt, Chhime Namdol Sherpa

Read more