Challenging the UN Security Council Veto in the Face of Atrocity Crimes
Date/Time
Date(s) - 22/02/2025
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
Location
Leamington Spa Baptist Church
Categories
On 22 February Warwick District UN Association will host a leading expert in international law, Professor Jennifer Trahan from New York University’s Center for Global Affairs, for a vital and thought-provoking discussion on
Challenging the UN Security Council Veto in the Face of Atrocity Crimes
Why This Matters: The UN Security Council’s veto power has repeatedly blocked action, even in response to genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, leading to devastating loss of life and a failure of global accountability.
Professor Trahan will explore:
- The history and evolution of the veto ( “THE VETO”: a short film showing accompanied by discussion)
- Efforts to challenge its misuse, including the ACT Code of Conduct, the French/Mexican Initiative, and the Vetoes Initiative (Resolution A/77/L.52)
- The ground-breaking idea of seeking an International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on legal limits to the veto
This is a unique opportunity to engage in debate and discussion with one of the world’s foremost experts on international justice.
About Professor Jennifer Trahan: Professor Trahan has been a faculty member at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs since 2009, specialising in international justice, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the crime of aggression. Her award-winning book, Legal Limits to Security Council Veto Power in the Face of Atrocity Crimes (Cambridge University Press, 2020), has shaped global conversations on this issue.
Professor Trahan has:
- Participated in International Criminal Court negotiations, including the definition of the crime of aggression
- Advised on efforts to create a special tribunal for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
- Served on the Council of Advisers on the ICC’s Rome Statute and Cyberwarfare
The event will take place from 12:35 PM – 1:45 PM on Saturday, 22nd February 2025 in Leamington Spa Baptist Church, Chandos Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4RN
It will be a hybrid event: Attend in person or online. Follow this link to join the meeting online.
Refreshments: Tea, coffee, and biscuits provided – please feel free to bring your own lunch if desired!