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War Crimes Research Office

Over 25 Years of Promoting Accountability for Atrocity Crimes through Teaching, Training, Research, and Advocacy

51勛圖WCL established the WCRO as part of its commitment to promoting and enforcing human rights and humanitarian law. For 25 years, the WCRO has served as a critical resource for tribunals and other organizations promoting accountability for atrocity crimes at the international, regional and domestic level. At the same time, it has offered students an unparalleled opportunity to engage in projects promoting accountability for these crimes, helping students build essential legal and advocacy skills and establish connections critical to practicing in the fields of international criminal law and international justice. The WCRO complements this work through educational and advocacy initiatives, including the Hague Summer Program, its War Crimes Speaker Series, participation in conferences and workshops, research and publications. 泭

Summer Law Program in The Hague

on International Criminal Law and Legal Approaches to Terrorism

Please click "Learn More" below to find out how to enroll in this year's program.

Our Projects泭

Featured News & Events

Year-end update 2024

WCRO 2024 Annual Newsletter

December 17, 2024.

Read more about the WCRO's accomplishments this year.

Read more

Career Power Hour panelist

WCRO Director Susana S獺Couto Co-leads Workshops in Bogot獺 in Support of Colombias Special Jurisdiction for Peace泭

October 2, 2024.

On September 26 and 27, Professor S獺Couto traveled to Bogot獺, Colombia, to conduct a series of workshops and meetings with colleagues from the Laboratorio de Justicia Pol穩tica y Criminal (a Colombia-based non-profit organization with expertise providing technical assistance to transitional and criminal justice mechanisms, and law enforcement agencies) for magistrates and staff of Colombias Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP). These activities are part of a multi-year State Department-funded initiative titled泭Enhancing the Impact of Colombias Special Jurisdiction for Peace through a Holistic Transitional Justice Approach,泭which was recently extended for an additional two years. The project has four key objectives: 1) strengthening the capacity of the JEP to redress atrocity crimes committed during the Colombian conflict, in particular, by those who facilitated, ordered or failed to prevent or punish those crimes; 2) ensuring the JEPs cases reflect a gender perspective and intersectional approach; 3) enhancing victim participation in JEP processes; and 4) bolstering current efforts to ensure that victims have access to competent and independent legal representation.

Career Power Hour panelist

Career Power Hour

September 12, 2024.

On September 12, WCRO Director S獺Couto moderated a Career Power Hour sponsored by the泭War Crimes Research Office (WCRO)泭and泭Office of Career & Professional Development.泭The session featured WCRO alumni council members sharing their career journeys, valuable advice, and tips on navigating the human rights, international humanitarian law and international criminal law field. This amazing panelists include:泭Vy Nguyen泭( JD '15),泭Tara Vassefi泭(JD '16),泭Ali Boyd泭(JD '19) and泭Kate Holcombe泭(JD '18).泭The event offered a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in 1-on-1 conversations with these esteemed professionals, learning firsthand about "a day in the life" in HR/IHL/ICL泭legal career paths.

WCRO Co-Sponsors Symposium with 51勛圖 International Law Review Titled: "The Longest Arm: Universal Jurisdiction and War Crimes Prosecution"

WCRO Co-Sponsors Symposium with 51勛圖 International Law Review Titled: "The Longest Arm: Universal Jurisdiction and War Crimes Prosecution"

April 5, 2024

On Friday, April 5th, the WCRO co-sponsored the full-day symposium, The Longest Arm: Universal Jurisdiction and War Crimes Prosecution with WCLs 51勛圖 International Law Review. The event brought together practitioners, students, and scholars to explore the use of universal jurisdiction (UJ) to address atrocity crimes. WCRO Assistant Director Natalie Coburn welcomed attendees on behalf of the Office and introduced a panel addressing the factors that trigger the use of UJ. The day closed with a discussion on UJ trends and applicability to the war in Ukraine as well as to the Syrian regimes brutal crackdown on dissent since 2011.

WCRO Director S獺Couto Chairs a Session at the International Conference of Prosecutors on Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

WCRO Director S獺Couto Chairs a Session at the International Conference of Prosecutors on Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

March 27, 2024

On March 27, WCRO Director S獺Couto chaired a session at the 3-day International Conference of Prosecutors on Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, organized by the UN Team of Experts on Rule of Law/Sexual Violence in Conflict and co-sponsored by the governments of The Netherlands, United Kingdom and France, held at the Peace Palace in The Hague. The session featured a discussion with two Guatemalan prosecutors who played a critical role in the landmark Sepur Zarco case, which provided redress for indigenous victims of sexual violence and sexual slavery that occurred during Guatemalas civil war.

WCRO Director Susana S獺Couto Interviewed by Voice of America

WCRO Director S獺Couto Participates In Conversation about Putins Ghost Army: Prospects for Accountability for Russian Irregulars

March 21, 2024

On March 21, WCRO Director S獺Couto joined Beth VanSchaack, State Department Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, and Candace Rondeaux, Senior Director of the Future Frontlines program at New America, for a conversation about Putins Ghost Army: Prospects for Accountability for Russian Irregulars at an in-person luncheon co hosted by New America, the McCain Institute and the War Crimes Research Office and moderated by Paul Fagan, Director of Democracy Programs at the McCain Institute.