The US of Anarchy

Next Wed, 22 October, the ICJ will deliver its Advisory Opinion on Israel’s obligations in relation to the UN and other actors in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

📍 Join us at Maastricht University’s Faculty of Law for a livestream of the delivery, followed by a panel discussion.

On 16 September 2025, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel released its detailed findings, assessing Israel’s conduct in Gaza under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Still buzzing after our ESIL IG on International Criminal Justice workshop at #ESIL2025 in Berlin ✨

Theme: “Reconstructing International Criminal Justice as It Unfolds.”

We’re excited to be hosting our hybrid workshop alongside #ESIL2025 in Berlin next week! 🌍⚖️
Reconstructing International Criminal Justice as It Unfolds
🗓️ Thu 11 Sept | 9:00–12:00 CET
📍 Berlin + 💻 Zoom
🔗 Register here: ucph-ku.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Unlike in Elmasry, Judge Flores Liera did not dissent in El Hishri—likely because of Libya’s declaration. The warrant confirms this shift: it refers to Libya’s recognition of ICC jurisdiction under Article 12(3). www.icc-cpi.int/sites/defaul...

That jurisdictional concern, initially raised by Flores Liera, now seems moot. On 8 Aug 2025, Libya’s declaration under Article 12(3) was made public: it accepts ICC jurisdiction over crimes from 2011–2027. www.icc-cpi.int/sites/defaul...

6/ In Duterte’s case, the ICC Prosecutor requested an urgent warrant on 10 Feb 2025, citing a realistic but time-limited arrest opportunity after the Philippine govt publicly indicated it might enforce an ICC warrant.

The urgency is reflected in the errors in the initial warrant, requiring a corrected version just five days later, on 24 Jan. Judge Flores-Liera’s dissenting opinion was also missing from the first decision, showing the Chamber acted under pressure.

These types of condemnations pay lip service to academic freedom. See how the statement on the ESIL 2025 Annual Conference describes them as yet another example of SELF-censorship that threatens academic freedom. Read and sign forms.gle/sWwErncrF2P9...

Wow

The warrant was issued on 18 January, a Saturday—an unusual move for the ICC. This highlights the urgency and exceptional nature of the case.

The charges include persecution on several grounds, including gender persecution.

While enforced disappearance is not included—missing an opportunity for a first at the ICC—the charges may encompass gender- and religious-based persecution as crimes against humanity.

The ICC press release provides rare insight into the Registry’s coordination efforts:

Requests for Almasri's arrest were sent to six States Parties, including Italy.

The Court worked with INTERPOL to issue a Red Notice and tracked Almasri’s movements across the Schengen zone.

📢 Looking forward 2 chairing this hybrid seminar & book launch "Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Strategically Moving Forward" on Jan 29, 2025, at Maastricht University, Law Faculty.

Keynote by Philip Alston, tributes to Fons Coomans, & more!

Register maastrichtuniversity.nl/events/book-...

To be honest, I am not sure if it is correct to say that France is changing its stance on the immunity of Heads of State of non-party States before the ICC. Attached is France’s reaction to the ICC AC decision on Jordan re Al-Bashir, during the SC meeting (2019) re Sudan following that decision.