The International Nuremberg Principles Academy (Nuremberg Academy) was pleased to announce two workshops in the memory of Benjamin “Ben” Ferencz, which took place at the east building of the Nuremberg Palace of Justice on 10 April 2024. These took place concomitantly and were aimed at presenting and discussing the impact of Mr Ferencz in the field of international criminal justice.
The first workshop, titled “The Contribution of Ben Ferencz to Contemporary International Criminal Law: An Advocate for Accountability and Justice”, held in English language, addressed his active role in Nuremberg as well as his campaign to establish a permanent International Criminal Court with jurisdiction over international crimes. The second workshop, titled “Who is ensuring Nuremberg’s legacy now? A Paradigm Shift in the Culture of Remembrance”, held in German language, addressed the absence of an active and influential actor in the significance of the Nuremberg trials in contemporary international criminal law (ICL). With his passing, the ICL community has lost not only an authoritative voice, but also a unique example of commitment to the fight against impunity and for accountability and justice. His absence was examined in the context of Germany’s culture of remembrance.
Mr Ferencz’s contribution to international criminal justice, both as a custodian of the historic heritage of the Nuremberg trials and as an advocate for peace and justice worldwide, is the axis around which the two workshops on his life and work will revolve. The event was free and open to the public.
Since its establishment in 2014, the Nuremberg Academy has been firmly committed to promote ICL and support the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. In keeping with this spirit, the mandate of the Nuremberg Academy includes, inter alia, conducting conferences, symposia and workshops in the area of ICL, towards a common goal of bringing about justice and ending impunity. (pg)