From 24 - 25 September 2025, the Nuremberg Academy in cooperation with the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina will organise a conference in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina focussing on the criminilisation of genocide denial. The conference entitled “Criminalising Genocide Denial: Law, Accountability and Prevention” is further supported by the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation e.V. (IRZ) and TRIAL International.
The conference will facilitate an in-depth exchange of expertise between domestic and international experts on the benefits and challenges of implementing laws addressing genocide denial. It will also explore related approaches to ensuring that denial becomes unacceptable on an individual and societal level. It will bring together prosecutors, judges, civil society representatives, scholars and other relevant stakeholders.
The conference will be composed of an opening discussion, two keynote addresses and three panel discussions:
- Opening Discussion: Genocide Denial: Law, Accountability and Prevention
- Keynote Addresses
- Panel 1: Prosecuting Genocide Denial: Strategies and Challenges
The first panel will examine approaches and experiences most pertinent to the investigation and prosecution of genocide denial in different jurisdictions. It will specifically delve into the experiences of Germany, Rwanda and other international experiences while ascertaining the relevance of these perspectives to the Bosnian context.
- Panel 2: Protecting Freedom of Expression and Protection from Hate Speech
The prosecution of genocide denial has an understandably delicate interaction with the need to ensure fundamental protections regarding freedom of expression. The second panel will explore this interaction while delving into the contextual realities, histories and identities that have shaped the German and Bosnian experience in this regard as well as delve into the role of international law frameworks in protecting freedom of expression.
- Panel 3: From Legal Inaction to a Culture of Impunity and Denial
The final panel will highlight the enduring and pervasive impact of denial on victims and societies, including on initiatives furthering reconstruction and reconciliation. The panel will incorporate the perspectives of civil society in this regard and discuss the importance of anti-denial measures and education to prevention and guarantees of non-repetition.
The final conference programme will be available at a later date. For inquiries regarding the conference, please contact Kiran Mohandas Menon, Senior Officer, International Nuremberg Principles Academy at kiran.menon@~@nurembergacademy.org. (km)