KDEC 9695 - International Criminal Law

This course provides an overview of the historical context for the emergence of international justice mechanisms since Nuremberg and Tokyo, and explores the main mechanisms to fight impunity for international crimes at the international and domestic levels. It covers general principles of criminal law, complementarity, extraterritorial jurisdiction, gender-based violence, and victim participation and reparation.

The course adopts a practitioner's perspective, using specific cases to illustrate current challenges facing international and internationalised tribunals, with a focus on the International Criminal Court and on domestic courts exercising jurisdiction over international crimes. Throughout, we examine emerging themes: new technologies and open source evidence, corporate accountability, universal jurisdiction, and the strategic use of the International Court of Justice by states.

No prerequisite required however students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the fundamental principles of criminal law.

• Twelve sessions, 8 September to 8 December 2026. Tuesdays, 08:00 to 10:00, Salle C.S25, 1 place Saint-Thomas d'Aquin (except Session 7)
• Break: 14 October to 4 November 2026 (no class on 20 October, 27 October and 3 November)
• Session 7 (guest session): Friday 13 November 2026, 17:00 to 19:00, Salle 12, 27 rue Saint-Guillaume, with the speaker online from the United States
• Course website: sessions, readings with links, bibliography, resources, research guide and grading. Slides shared after each session in the course Google Drive folder

Use of artificial intelligence

This course follows Sciences Po's policy on artificial intelligence (sciencespo.fr). You may use generative artificial intelligence for the written contribution on one condition: attach a short appendix reproducing the prompts you used and stating how you verified the output. The appendix does not count towards the word limit. Undeclared use is a breach of academic integrity; declared use earns transparency, not marks. No assessment requires a paid tool, and no personal or confidential data may be submitted to public platforms.

Part I: Oral advocacy 30%

Moot oral statement before the 2026 ICC Assembly of States Parties, delivered in Session 6, Tuesday 13 October 2026.

• You represent a State (party or non-party to the Rome Statute), an intergovernmental organisation (IGO) or a non-governmental organisation (NGO) on a specific issue or challenge during the General Debate of the 2026 Assembly of States Parties. Official documents and agenda: asp.icc-cpi.int
• You may invent an NGO, as long as it is clearly identified. For inspiration, look at the General Debate statements from previous years
• The statement is strictly limited to three minutes (usually 300 to 500 words) and is delivered in front of your fellow representatives. You may read from notes or speak without them. The written version does not need to be submitted
• Grading indicators: presentation (argumentation and analysis, adapted to the audience); structure (coherence and use of time); performance (contact with the audience); illustration (making the issue concrete)
• Deadline: Sunday 11 October 2026, email your choice of State, IGO or NGO and the name you will act under

Part II: Written contribution on an emerging ICL issue 50%

• A legal contribution resulting from your research on an emerging issue in international criminal law, with attention to current academic and advocacy debates, the state of the jurisprudence, legal characterisation and procedural issues
• Examples: immunities; international criminal law and the migration crisis; corporate accountability; climate change and ecocide; open source investigation and new technologies; cultural heritage; gender apartheid; state litigation at the ICJ and the enforcement of provisional measures. Another topic may be agreed in advance by email
• Format: Times New Roman 12, single spaced, internal citations with references listed alphabetically in MLA format, 4,000 words excluding references, no more than two text boxes; illustrations are welcome and do not count towards the word limit
• Deadline: Tuesday 8 December 2026, 23:59 Paris time, as a PDF by email to jeanne.sulzer@sciencespo.fr

Part III: Class participation and discussion 20%

Class participation is central, and students are expected to contribute actively to the discussion: bring up a point, raise a question, connect ideas, offer your opinion, share your experience, agree or disagree with others, and do so respectfully. Each class opens with a five to ten minute slot, The Week in International Justice, for news you have noticed that week.