Accountability for grave international crimes through the use of universal jurisdiction

The Swedish Institute of International Affairs and Civil Rights Defenders hosted a seminar on the impact and challenges of achieving accountability for grave international crimes. Atrocities are frequently committed during armed conflicts or under authoritarian rule across the globe, often without legal consequences for those responsible. The possibility of achieving accountability varies depending on the context in which the crimes have been committed, and on the global political will. Several advancements have recently been made to bring those responsible for grave international crimes to justice in domestic courts across Europe using universal jurisdiction. In February, Civil Rights Defenders filed a criminal complaint with the Swedish police to bring redress to survivors of torture in Syrian detention facilities. We invite you to a seminar on achieving accountability for grave international crimes and the challenges attached to such efforts. Introduction: Dr Johanna Mannergren Selimovic, Senior Research Fellow, the Swedish Institute of International Affairs John Stauffer, Legal Director and Deputy Executive Director, Civil Rights Defenders Panel: Selma Korjenić, Head of Program-Bosnia and Herzegovina, TRIAL International – an organisation working on advocacy and judicial capacity building for victims of grave international crimes. Delkhwaz Haciy, Director of Yazda Sweden, an organisation focusing on accountability for the Yazidi genocide committed by ISIS. Dr Mark Klamberg, Professor in International Law, Stockholm University Mona Zeineddine, Litigation Coordinator at the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression, an organisation working to combat impunity and enable victims to achieve justice in Syria. Moderator: Aida Samani, Legal Adviser, Civil Rights Defenders