Crimes Against Humanity, Atrocity, and Genocide Prevention: From Norms to Obligation
We were honored to partner with the American University International Law Review and the Washington College of Law War Crimes Research Office for the 2025 Symposium, “Crimes Against Humanity, Atrocity, and Genocide Prevention: From Norms to Obligation.”
This year’s program gathered an extraordinary range of leaders shaping international justice, including current and former UN Special Advisors and Rapporteurs, world-renowned academics, and practitioners advancing accountability and prevention worldwide. The symposium centered on the proposed UN treaty on preventing and punishing crimes against humanity and the urgent work of transforming prevention norms into enforceable obligations.
The day opened with remarks from Professor Eduardo Bertoni, Director of the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, and Keisuke Fujio, Symposium Director, followed by a keynote from Professor Leila Sadat, James Carr Professor of International Criminal Law and founder of the Crimes Against Humanity Initiative. Professor Sadat traced the development of the proposed treaty, emphasizing how it represents a long-awaited step toward codifying state duties to prevent and punish atrocity crimes.
Throughout the day, panelists engaged deeply with the legal, political, and practical challenges of operationalizing prevention. The morning session, “New Ideas and Developments in Law Relating to Crimes Against Humanity,” moderated by Natalie Landau, featured Rebecca Hamilton, Alka Pradhan, and Marian da Silva, who discussed how contemporary conflicts and shifting global alliances are reshaping accountability mechanisms.
In “Case Building, Accountability, and Gender Justice,” Leila Sadat, Nathaniel Raymond, and Alka Pradhan explored new methods of evidence gathering and the critical role of technology and open-source investigations in documenting atrocities. Their discussion highlighted the intersection between innovation and justice — and the continued struggle to center gender-based violence within accountability frameworks.
The afternoon session, introduced by Ms. Mô Bleeker, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on the Responsibility to Protect, turned toward the future of atrocity prevention. Professors Susana SáCouto, Diane Orentlicher, and Leila Sadat reflected on how prevention norms are being tested and redefined in the 21st century. They emphasized the importance of coordination between international mechanisms and domestic initiatives, and the role of civil society and community actors in sustaining prevention at every level.
The symposium concluded with closing reflections from Professor Juan Méndez, Professor Emeritus and former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, who underscored the moral and legal imperative of atrocity prevention in an increasingly fragile world order.
Across all sessions, one theme stood out: preventing crimes against humanity requires not only strong legal frameworks but also political will, inclusive dialogue, and human-centered implementation.
We extend our gratitude to all the speakers, moderators, and attendees who made this event such a meaningful and forward-looking exchange.