Universal Jurisdiction in Europe – A Critical Perspective
A decade after the adoption of the Madrid-Buenos Aires Principles on Universal Jurisdiction, it is time to critically assess how their application has evolved in Europe, what obstacles persist, and what steps are necessary to strengthen the fight against impunity.
For this reason, on 17 September 2025, from 15:00 to 18:30 CEST, FIBGAR will organise the expert workshop «Universal Jurisdiction in Europe – A Critical Perspective» at the Fondazione Basso in Rome, in collaboration with the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and with the support of the Fondazione Lelio Basso, the European Union and the Global Initiative Against Impunity. The meeting, which will be held in English and take the form of a moderated roundtable discussion, is part of the tenth anniversary of the Madrid-Buenos Aires Principles on Universal Jurisdiction and forms part of the «Rethinking Universal Jurisdiction» project.
The workshop will bring together experts and civil society organisations to address the main challenges currently facing universal jurisdiction, with particular attention to the gap between principles and their practical application, as well as the role of cooperation and civil society in strengthening accountability mechanisms. The event will feature:
Pamela Capizzi, Head of Pool of Legal Expertise – Trial International
Chantal Meloni, Senior Legal Advisor – European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)
John Stauffer, Legal Director / Deputy Executive Director – Civil Rights Defenders
Hope Rikkelman, Executive Director – Nuhanovic Foundation
Chloé Faucourt, Judicial Cooperation Officer – Genocide Prosecution Network
Rebeca Huete Salazar, Head of the Legal Department – Civitas Máxima
Kristina Hon, Senior Legal Counsel – Civitas Maxima
Throughout the meeting, participants will reflect on the main obstacles to the effective application of universal jurisdiction in Europe, the lessons learned over the past decade and opportunities to strengthen cooperation among the different actors involved. The objective will be to move from diagnosis to action, identifying concrete priorities and recommendations that can help improve the application of the principle and strengthen the tools available to combat impunity.
The meeting will be held by invitation only, as a closed roundtable designed to foster in-depth and structured exchange among participants. It will also include a networking session, conceived as an opportunity to facilitate the exchange of experiences, strengthen connections and promote new opportunities for collaboration among professionals and organisations working in the field of universal jurisdiction and international justice.
At FIBGAR, we continue to promote spaces for reflection and dialogue on universal jurisdiction, convinced of the importance of reviewing its application and evolution in order to respond to the current challenges in the fight against impunity. This meeting provides an opportunity to share experiences, identify common challenges and explore new avenues for cooperation that can contribute to strengthening universal jurisdiction as a tool for justice in response to international crimes and in defence of human rights.
