Intersectoral Fora for Social Transition
Advocacy / Human rights
The Conference on International Criminal Justice: Progress and Challenges in the Fight Against Impunity sought to create a space for reflection and analysis on the challenges facing international criminal justice, with a special focus on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the fight against impunity.
Through roundtables and panels of experts, the conference addressed key issues such as progress in the prosecution of international crimes, victims’ rights, international cooperation, and the political and structural challenges that hinder the effectiveness of global justice.
In recent years, the ICC has faced political attacks and difficulties in securing cooperation from states, which has limited its ability to prosecute and punish international crimes, especially in contexts of impunity and protracted conflicts. These obstacles highlight the need to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that remain in the fight against impunity.
The conference brought together academics, legal practitioners, and representatives from international organizations and civil society to discuss necessary reforms and strategies to strengthen international cooperation. Topics addressed included the impact of new technologies and artificial intelligence on the investigation of international crimes, as well as the importance of a victim-centered approach to justice and victims’ effective participation in judicial proceedings and reparations mechanisms.
In addition, the conference analyzed best practices and lessons learned from international and national courts that have addressed crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes, with a particular focus on the complementarity between the ICC and national jurisdictions and on the challenges states face in implementing the Rome Statute into their domestic laws.
This conference sought to raise awareness about the importance of combating impunity, update the training of those working in the legal field, and contribute to strengthening justice mechanisms globally. In an international context marked by the emergence of new conflicts and threats to the fundamental principles of international criminal law, the conference served as a unique opportunity to generate proposals that would reinforce the structure and effectiveness of international criminal justice.
The event was supported by the Barcelona Bar Association (ICAB) and the ICAB Commission on International Criminal Justice and Human Rights.
Project co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, through the Secretariat of State for Foreign and Global Affairs.
