This Theo van Boven Lecture will be given by Prof. William. A. Schabas and is titled: ‘A refresh of the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice?’. Schabas is professor of international law at Middlesex University in London, emeritus professor at Leiden University and the University of Galway.

There have been more than 20 cases at the International Court of Justice premised on the 1948 Genocide Convention. To date, none has led to a judgment condemning a State for committing genocide. But there are four pending cases based on the Convention. Besides the eight States that are parties, some 46 States have intervened in these proceedings. There is great moment for the Court to refresh this rather aging treaty and make it a meaningful instrument in addressing atrocities. The lecture will review the four cases at the Court and consider the likely outcomes.