Director Klaus Rackwitz was invited to talk about “Nuremberg Principles - European Values - Universal Human Rights“ in the accompanying program of the art installation “UNN (United Nations Nuremberg)” by Bettina Pousttchi, in Nuremberg on 24 July 2018. The event was organized by the City of Nuremberg’s European Capital of Culture 2025 Bid Office in cooperation with the Neues Museum Nuremberg.
This public talk took place next to the Neues Museum right in front of the installation showing a black and white photo installation in the form of a large, symbolic pavilion inspired by the Tower of the UN Headquarters in New York. The installation creates a link between the most important seat of the inter-governmental organization and the historic influence of Nuremberg, both as a representative of the Nazi regime in the past and as a city of human rights today.
The connection between this iconic building and Nuremberg is based on the artist’s perspective that modern international criminal law, which emerged from the Nuremberg Trials, has increasing worldwide relevance and has become so important for democratic understanding. The artistic narration will thus interweave this organization that symbolizes the unification of all peoples with the history of the city of Nuremberg.
Interviewed by Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Wagner, Head of the City of Nuremberg’s European Capital of Culture 2025 Bid Office, Klaus Rackwitz gave an insight into the development of international criminal law since the Nuremberg Trials, the United Nations related institutions and proceedings before international courts today. The following discussion with the audience particularly focused on the current challenges for international criminal justice with regard to the political situation worldwide.
