In an effort to shed light on the complex legal processes involved in prosecuting genocide, a thought-provoking webinar was recently hosted by The International Legal Coalition for Palestine . The session brought together legal scholars, activists, and human rights advocates to explore the challenges of achieving justice in cases of mass atrocity, with a focused lens on the experiences of Palestine and Bosnia.
The webinar opened with a brief introduction, setting the stage for an in-depth examination of international legal mechanisms and their real-world application.
Ms.Gorana Mlinarevic delivered a compelling analysis of the Bosnian Genocide, drawing from key rulings of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Her insights highlighted the successes and limitations of international prosecution efforts, including the landmark convictions of high-ranking officials.
This was followed by Dr. Kiran Grewal’s exploration of the ongoing legal struggles surrounding Palestine. She delved into the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in addressing allegations of genocide, underscoring significant obstacles such as jurisdictional disputes and the difficulties of gathering admissible evidence in conflict zones suggesting that practical solutions exist.
Both Dr. Grewal and Dr. Mlinarevic then engaged in a collaborative discussion on broader mechanisms for genocide prosecution. They explained key principles such as universal jurisdiction and how international law aims to hold perpetrators accountable, even when national legal systems fail.
Then, Mr. Diaa introduced the GIG (Genocide in Gaza) platform, outlining its mission to support legal advocacy and documenting legal
violations.
The session concluded with an introspective group discussion and an engaging Q&A segment. Participants raised important questions around enforcement, political influence and legal empowerment.