Justice, Rule of Law and Impunity

  • At Switzerland’s invitation, members of the Security Council visited Geneva on 25 and 26 August to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. (For background information, see our 25 August What’s in Blue story.) On the second day of the informal...

  • At Switzerland’s invitation, members of the Security Council visited Geneva on 25 and 26 August to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. (For background information, see our 25 August What’s in Blue story.) The informal visit of...

  • On 12 August, the Geneva Conventions turn 75. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described these foundational treaties in international humanitarian law (IHL) as “one of humanity’s most important accomplishments of the last century.” In recent years, blatant disregard for IHL has been a feature of conflicts around the world, including several on the Council’s agenda. For the Security Council, the anniversary offers a time for sombre and sober reflection.

  • Tomorrow afternoon (18 July), there will be an Arria-formula meeting on “The 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute: the contribution of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the maintenance of international peace and security”. The meeting was organised by Japan...

  • 11 January 2023

    Rule of Law: Ministerial-level Open Debate

    What's in Blue

    Tomorrow morning (12 January), the Security Council will hold a ministerial-level open debate on the “Promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security: the rule of law among nations”. The meeting, which...

  • January 2023

    Rule of Law

    Monthly Forecast

    In January, Japan is organising a ministerial-level open debate on the “Promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security: The rule of law among nations”. Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Joan Donoghue, and Oxford University Professor of Public International Law Dapo Akande are expected to brief.

  • This report aims to contribute to a better understanding of how the Security Council has positioned itself on transitional justice issues

  • Tomorrow (24 June) at 10 am EST in the ECOSOC Chamber, there will be an Arria-formula meeting on the relationship between the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Security Council. The meeting is being held one week before the 20th...

  • In June, Albania is organising a high-level open debate on “strengthening accountability and justice for serious violations of international law” as a signature event of its presidency. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is expected to chair the meeting. The expected briefers are Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN; Joan E. Donoghue, President of the International Court of Justice; Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and a representative of civil society.

  • 8 June 2021

    Briefing: ICC Sudan

    What's in Blue

    Tomorrow (9 June), the Security Council will convene in person to receive the semi-annual briefing of the ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, related to the Court’s work on Darfur. Bensouda, who will participate via videoconference, will provide her final briefing to...

  • Tomorrow (24 February) there will be an open videoconference Arria-formula meeting on: “Upholding the collective security system of the UN Charter: the use of force in international law, non-state actors and legitimate self-defense”. The meeting, which is being organised by...

  • Tomorrow (18 December), Security Council members will hold a virtual open debate on the promotion and strengthening of the rule of law, focusing on strengthening the cooperation between the Security Council and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The president...

  • December 2020

    International Court of Justice

    Monthly Forecast

    In December, the Council will hold a briefing on “the promotion and strengthening of the rule of law, focusing on strengthening the cooperation between the Security Council and the International Court of Justice (ICJ)”. The president of the ICJ, Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, is expected to brief. The briefing is an initiative of South Africa as president of the Security Council in December. A presidential statement is a possible outcome.

  • 12 February 2020

    Transitional Justice Open Debate

    What's in Blue

    Tomorrow (13 February), the Security Council will hold an open debate on “transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict situations” under the peacebuilding and sustaining peace agenda item. The meeting, initiated by Belgium as this month’s Council president, will be presided...

  • February 2020

    Transitional Justice

    Monthly Forecast

    In February, the Council is expected to hold an open debate on transitional justice at the initiative of Belgium. The open debate will be held under the broader agenda item “peacebuilding and sustaining peace” and a concept note will be circulated ahead of the meeting. Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Philippe Goffin, is expected to preside. At press time, no outcome was anticipated.