Event


Victims of international crimes: how to better facilitate access to justice?


Victims of international crimes have been at the heart of horrific atrocities. Entire communities have been victimized and disempowered. International law developments over the last two decades have acknowledged that victims deserve to be heard and receive reparations for the harm they suffered. The International Criminal Court and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia recognize victims the right to participate in proceedings and receive reparations.

But the path for victims to access justice is not always easy. Challenges include the passing of time, the physical and cultural distance between the courts and the communities affected by the crimes, and difficulties to provide reparations for crimes of such a serious nature. A legal process also has limitations that may not be in line with the reality of victims’ lives and their expectations.

Victims, however, continue to be the reason why those and other tribunals have been created. They are actors of change and their empowerment, including through acknowledgement of their suffering and involvement in justice initiatives, is crucial for social change in the countries concerned. How do we facilitate access to justice for victims?

Speakers

Mariana Pena – is a lawyer from Argentina who has been working with victims of international crimes for the past ten years. She is currently a Legal Officer with the Open Society Justice Initiative.

Michael Liu – was a victims’ counsel at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. He is the founder and Secretary-General of the Chinese Initiative on International Justice.

Paolina Massidda – is the Principal Counsel at the International Criminal Court’s Office for Public Counsel for Victims. In that capacity, she has provided legal representation to thousands of victims of grave crimes.

Tamar Availiani, from the Human Rights Center in Georgia, will also be available to share her experience about representing victims before the European Court of Human Rights during the dialogue

Moderator: Gaelle Carayon, REDRESS

Join the dialogue, share your thoughts! Come to this free event. register@haguetalks.com att: victims rights

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