From 13 to 16 May 2025, the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, represented by Senior Officer Dr Gurgen Petrossian, actively participated in a series of events in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, aimed at strengthening the rule of law and promoting accountability for international crimes.
On 13 May, Dr Petrossian had the honour of joining a special session at the British International University in Erbil, where he together with other experts engaged with law students on the global relevance of international criminal law and shared insights from their professional experiences in the field.
From 14 to 15 May, the Academy contributed to a focused workshop for judges and prosecutors. Dr Petrossian led intensive training sessions on the core elements of international crimes and the various modes of criminal liability under international law. The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of judicial actors to address complex legal challenges in holding perpetrators of atrocity crimes accountable.
On 16 May, the Academy participated in a high-level public seminar held in Sulaymaniyah, organised by the Kurdistan Center for International Law (KCIL) in collaboration with the Azadbun Organization and the Genocide Research Center at the University of Halabja. The seminar, attended by members of the Kurdistan Parliament, representatives of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and local civil society organizations, focused on justice for international crimes and strategies for their future prevention.
Dr Petrossian delivered a keynote presentation on legal mechanisms available to conflict-affected societies, using the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a case study to illustrate how international legal tools can support accountability and reconciliation. Other speakers included international and regional experts who addressed the role of legislation, documentation, and institutional reform in addressing past atrocities.
The Academy is proud to support such regional initiatives that uphold the principles of international criminal justice, build local capacity, and contribute to the global fight against impunity. Special thanks to Hawre Ahmed and his team at Kurdistan Center for International for his dedicated organisation and warm hospitality during our stay in Kurdistan. (gp)
