This panel will examine proposals to fill gaps in international criminal justice in cases where political deadlock leading to gaps in ICC jurisdiction have rendered justice elusive. The panel will examine, in particular, the establishment of an Exceptional Chemical Weapons Tribunal (ECWT) to prosecute state and nonstate actors for the use of chemical weapons. The work behind the ECWT came to light on the 30th November, the International Day of All victims of Chemical Warfare through exclusive coverage by Reuters, which quoted diplomats, legal experts, victim voices, and heads of international organisations.

Panelists will examine the tribunal from the perspective of the principle of legality, legitimacy, jurisdiction and victims’ rights, while also discussing how such a tribunal would be situated in the current international landscape alongside the OPCW and ICC.