From the creation of multiple post-World War II international courts to the proliferation of tribunals following wars in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda in the 1990s, international criminal justice has become a fixture of today's geopolitical landscape.
Leveraging its leadership, real-world expertise, and Georgetown Law’s expansive network, the International Criminal Justice Initiative (ICJI) educates policymakers and other stakeholders on the critical role of international criminal justice in promoting security and prosperity. It advocates for timely criminal accountability for atrocity crimes committed anywhere and offers invaluable practical support to accountability efforts.
ICJI seeks to forge a more equitable, efficient, and effective global system of criminal accountability for “atrocity crimes” – an umbrella term that includes war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and the crime of aggression.
To learn more about our work, view our ICJI Information Sheet and visit us on social media.
Often when people speak in a general way about “war crimes,” they are actually referring to what is more accurately called “atrocity crimes.” So, what’s the difference? Read on to learn more and for quick definitions of other key terms.
ICJI joins our partners in the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine (ACA) in strongly condemning the flagrant and on-going violations of international law committed by Russian personnel, and reaffirming our unwavering commitment to supporting Ukrainian authorities in their investigations and prosecutions of atrocity crimes that meet the highest international standards.
The International Criminal Justice Initiative (ICJI) is pleased to announce that the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA) included language authorizing the Department of State to continue funding for the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine (ACA). Georgetown Law’s ICJI serves as the Lead Implementing Entity for ACA, a consortium of five organizations supporting Ukraine’s efforts to ensure justice and accountability for atrocity crimes committed in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
ICJI led a three-day exchange visit between Ukrainian prosecutors and investigators and their Croatian counterparts to promote information sharing in Split, Croatia.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin (second from right) speaks on the need for Ukraine to learn from the Croatian experience during the Homeland War. He is joined by ICJI Senior Director Amb. Clint Williamson (left), Ivan Malenica, Minister of Justice and Public Administration of the Republic of Croatia (second from left), and Zlata Hrvoj-Šipek, State Attorney General of the Republic of Croatia (right).
ICJI senior expert Vincent Degert presents on the EU Accession process as it relates to the investigation and prosecution of war crimes.
ICJI Senior Director and ACA Lead Coordinator, Ambassador (ret.) Clint Williamson (left) speaks with ACA-ICJI international experts Ingrid Elliott (center left), Davorka Čolak (center right), and Irisa Čevra (right) on providing international support for the investigations and prosecutions of atrocity crimes in Ukraine.
Standing room only for ICJI's inaugural discussion on atrocity crimes prosecutions Ukraine.
Former Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, Stephen Rapp, questions the panel on their work in Ukraine.
ICJI-ACA expert Ingrid Elliot discusses issues related to conflict-related sexual violence during Russia's ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine.
ICJI-ACA expert Davorka Čolak answers audience questions.
Georgetown University Law Center faculty member, Professor Jane Stromseth, provides opening remarks for the panel discussion.
ICJI-ACA expert Irisa Čevra provides insight into Bosnia and Herzegovina's approach to accountability for atrocity crimes.
