On 17 October 2025, the International Nuremberg Principles Academy participated in the Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival 2025 by holding a panel discussion on the significance of international criminal law today.
Following the German premiere of Shards of Light (wildfilms 2025), the movie directors Mila Teshaieva and Marcus Lenz joined in a panel discussion together with Professor Dr Christoph Safferling, Director of the Nuremberg Academy, moderated by Astrid Walter, Project Officer at the Nuremberg Academy. Shards of Light is a Ukrainian-German documentary portraying the experiences of the people of Bucha following the violent occupation by Russian armed forces. The film raises questions about the hopes of survivors seeking justice and the possibilities that international law offers in response. The discussion contextualized the film’s impressions from the perspective of international criminal law.
Topics addressed during the discussion included the roles of survivors and witnesses in criminal investigations, the challenges of managing their expectations, and the sometimes difficult reality of the lengthy duration of criminal proceedings. The panel highlighted the importance of complementary cooperation between international and domestic legal systems to hold accountable perpetrators at different levels—from ordinary soldiers directly committing crimes to higher-ranking officers who ordered or facilitated atrocity crimes. Panellists also emphasised the limitations of international law, particularly international criminal law, in ongoing conflicts, which are further exacerbated when states fail to comply with their legal obligations.
After the panel, the audience had the opportunity to ask further questions about the film and the powers of international law. Inquiries focused on a criminal trial depicted in the movie that was held in absentia in a Ukrainian court, including questions about the potential outcome and enforcement if the accused were located in another European country. Additional questions addressed head-of-state immunities, possibilities for holding Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable, and the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine currently under planning by the Council of Europe.
Further information can be found here and in the festival magazine below (in German). (aw)
