Issues relevant to international criminal law have long become part of social worker’s everyday practice, especially when working with forcibly displaced persons and refugees. When clients describe incidents of severe violence they witnessed or even experienced in their home country or as a refugee, it is necessary for social workers and psychosocial care providers to know how to classify such violence within the framework of international criminal law. There may be indications or evidence suggestive of war crimes, crimes against humanity or acts of genocide, which are subject to criminal prosecution in Germany. Where reports from clients suggest that they themselves may have been involved as alleged perpetrators in such serious acts of violence, the classification of these accounts is not only particularly relevant – after all, there must be no impunity for international crimes – but it is also exceptionally complex and requires a professional and sensitive approach. These guidelines aim to provide assistance in those situations.
In 2017 the International Nuremberg Academy (Nuremberg Academy) first published guidelines on international criminal law for social workers. Since then, the practice of German courts has evolved in certain key aspects, making a revised version necessary. A workshop held at the Nuremberg Academy in May 2025, as well as numerous discussions we had with relevant stakeholders throughout 2025, allowed us to identify specific needs were identified, and within these guidelines to offer practical, concrete information and recommendations for action.
The Academy would like to thank all the social workers and jurists involved for their valuable feedback and support in the preparation of these guidelines.
The complete “Guidelines for Social Work and Psychosocial Care in Germany: Refugees as potential witnesses, survivors and suspected perpetrators of crimes under international law” are available for download in German language here.(aw)