David Tolbert, the Law Center’s current Robert F. Drinan, S.J. Chair in Human Rights, shared his perspective on the achievements and shortfalls of various international justice efforts of the past century. Some of them he had helped to lead himself, including the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the United Nations-backed special tribunal for leaders of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.

“Accountability is so critical to the rule of law and to human rights,” said Tolbert. “Without accountability, impunity will reign, creating more and more cycles of atrocities. Moreover, victims deserve to see justice rendered, which I think is the essence of accountability.”

HRI Executive Director Elisa Massimino

Said HRI Executive Director Elisa Massimino in introducing Tolbert, “It takes a special kind of lawyer – and a special kind of person – to dedicate their life to helping societies pick up the pieces after the most unspeakable crimes.”

Watch the entire lecture here: