Summer Law Program in The Hague
on International Criminal Law and Legal Approaches to Terrorism
Please click "Learn More" below to find out how to enroll in this year's program.
United Nations PrepCom on CAH
Februar 1st, 2026.
From January 21-23 and January 28-30, WCRO Director SaCouto attended the First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity (PrepCom), held in New York. Prof. SaCouto was part of a group of academics and civil society organizations who participated in the session, which was intended to facilitate consultations on the draft articles for a new convention on crimes against humanity, and to enable governments to prepare formal proposals for amendments to the draft articles.
In anticipation of the PrepCom meetings, Prof. SaCouto participated in drafting several proposals - in particular related to the crime againts humanity of persecution and modes of liability - submitted by the American Brach of the international Law Association Study Group on Crimes Against Humanity, aimed at strengthening the draft's language and substance.
In addition to contribiting to the ABILA Study Group, Prof. SaCouto drafted and contributed to several other proposals, including on reproductive violence and the definition of torture as a crime against humanity.
WCRO 2025 Annual Newsletter
December 31, 2025.
Read more about the WCRO's accomplishments this year.
American Society of International Law (ASIL) Panel on Innovations in International Law in Countering Gender Discrimination
December 12, 2025
In December, WCRO Director Susana SáCouto served as a panelist on Innovations in International Law in Countering Gender Discrimination, organized as part of ASIL’s Signature Topic on Advancing Gender Justice. The discussion explored how international law is shaping new responses to gender discrimination amid growing challenges to women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights. SáCouto highlighted innovative approaches emerging in Latin America to strengthen gender-responsive accountability.
Panel of Sexual Violence in El Salvador
December 11, 2025
In December, WCRO Director Susana SáCouto participated in the hybrid Spanish-language event “Lo contamos para que no vuelva a pasar” focused on conflict-related sexual violence during El Salvador’s armed conflict. The conversation brought together regional experts and partners to reflect on survivor-centered pathways to truth, accountability, and non- repetition.
Crimes Againts Humanity Treaty
December 4, 2025
In December, WCRO Director SáCouto participated in a Workshop on Civil Society and the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty in The Hague, where she spoke on proposals to amend the draft statute related to reproductive violence.
Also, WCRO Director SáCouto moderated a side event during the 23rd session of the ICC Assembly of States Parties titled The Latin American Experience in Gender Justice and Its Contribution to the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty Initiative. The discussion showcased groundbreaking efforts in Latin America to prosecute gender-based crimes under international law in domestic courts—and explored how these experiences can inform global debates on the treaty as negotiations move forward.
Transitional Justice Mechanism Panel
November 13, 2025
In November, AUWCL hosted a panel on the Special Jurisidcition for Peace’s contributions to transitional justice co-moderated by WCRO Director SáCouto. The panel featured LJPC founding partners Miguel Emilio la Rota, as well as SJP Magistrate Julieta Lemaitre Ripoll and LJPC lawyer Valentina Diaz Moya. The panelists shared insights on the inner workings of the SJP as well as the tribunal’s progress on the various Macro-Cases it is trying, including recent judgments released on Macro-Cases 001 and 003.
4th Discussion Round table on Strategic Litigation on Gender-Based Violence in
October 31, 2025
On October 30 and 31, the WCRO joined the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law to host the 4th Discussion Roundtable on Strategic Litigation on Gender-Based Violence in Latin America (ReLEG). The Roundtable fostered reflection, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among ReLeG members, partner organizations, and experts from across Latin America. It served as a platform to share research findings, introduce new tools and protocols, and discuss strategies to strengthen national and regional efforts against gender-based violence, addressing both ongoing challenges and emerging issues in the region.
ILW Conference in New York City
October 25, 2025
As part of the International Criminal Law Practicum taught by WCRO Director Susana SáCouto, four students joined her for the American Branch’s International Law Weekend (ILW) conference in New York City held from October 23 to 25. The two-and-a-half-day event, focused on Crisis as Catalyst in International Law, featured over 30 panels and brought together many of the world’s leading international lawyers and diplomats. Students actively participated by attending sessions on the draft Crimes Against Humanity treaty, taking notes, and seizing valuable opportunities to network with practitioners and experts in the field.