Nuremberg Symposium, Nuremberg’s Legacy: The Crime of Aggression

Eighty years after the Nuremberg Trials, the crime of aggression—first prosecuted under the charge of “crimes against peace”—remains one of the most complex and contested areas in international criminal law. This session explores how Nuremberg’s legacy continues to shape modern debates over accountability for acts of aggression and the evolving jurisdiction of international courts.

Experts will examine current efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, assessing both its legal foundations and its implications for the future of international justice. The discussion will also consider proposals to expand the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over aggression, reflecting on how the Nuremberg precedent informs the pursuit of justice for unlawful uses of force today.

This timely conversation brings together leading voices in international law to ask: How far has the world come in holding leaders accountable for aggression—and how far do we still have to go?