The International Nuremberg Principles Academy participated in a two-day legal workshop held in Erbil, organised by the Kurdish Centre for International Law (KCIL) in cooperation with the Judicial Council of the Kurdistan Region, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Kurdish Bar Association and representatives of the Peshmerga. The workshop brought together leading international legal experts and high-ranking Kurdish judicial officials to discuss pathways for the effective prosecution of international crimes.
Representing the Nuremberg Academy, Dr Gurgen Petrossian, Senior Officer for International Criminal Law, joined distinguished colleagues Gabriela Radu and Professor Mohamed Elewa Badar in engaging discussions with members of the Judicial Council. The focus was on the legal and practical challenges of prosecuting crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other serious violations of international law. The exchange addressed both international legal frameworks and the provisions of the Iraqi Penal Code, including different modes of criminal liability, such as command responsibility and individual criminal liability.
The workshops provided a valuable platform for mutual learning and inter-institutional cooperation, highlighting the importance of harmonising national legislation with international legal standards to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
In his closing remarks, Hawre Ahmed, Executive Director of the Kurdish Centre for International Law, expressed his deep appreciation to the participants and emphasised the growing relevance of national proceedings in addressing the legacy of mass atrocities committed in Iraq.
The Nuremberg Academy is proud to support such initiatives that contribute to building judicial capacity, fostering regional dialogue and strengthening the rule of law in post-conflict societies (gp).
