From 20 to 21 April 2026, Warsaw became a vibrant hub for international legal debate during the conference “The Roots of Crimes against Humanity: Bridging the Normative Gap.” Hosted by the Pilecki Institute in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, and held under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski, the event brought together leading scholars and practitioners from across the globe.
Distinguished speakers included Ambassador Frank Perrez, Prof. Stefanie Bock, Prof. Karolina Wierczyńska, Prof. Kevin John Heller, Nuremberg Academy Director Prof. Dr Christoph Safferling, Prof. Patrycja Grzebyk, Prof. Mark Lewis and many others, whose contributions sparked insightful discussions on one of the most pressing challenges in international law today.
The conference focused on crimes against humanity—one of the four core international crimes—and the persistent absence of a dedicated, binding international convention governing their prevention and punishment. Building on the International Law Commission’s 2019 Draft Articles and ongoing UN negotiations, participants explored whether the ambition of adopting a convention by 2029 can realistically be achieved.
As highlighted by Krystian Wiciarz, Acting Deputy Director for Research at the Pilecki Institute, fostering academic reflection on both the historical roots and contemporary prosecution of such crimes remains essential. Equally important is the continued study of the totalitarian systems in which these atrocities occur.
The depth of discussion reaffirmed the importance of bridging the normative gap and advancing accountability in international law.