For too long, perpetrators have escaped incarceration and accountability by hiding away for the authority seeking to punish them. Universal jurisdiction allows states or international organisations to claim criminal jurisdiction over an accused person, regardless of where the alleged crime was committed and irrespective of the accused's nationality. This key tool must be used to ensure the prevention, criminalisation, and punishment of serious violations of international humanitarian law. The fight against impunity has no borders.

During this session, experts will discuss the use of universal jurisdiction globally- mapping the plethora of cases from the last five years. Experts will discuss how the cases came into being, including by way of civil society engagement. Experts will consider how the approaches in response to the war in Ukraine can help to make the principle of universal jurisdiction more universally used.