Open events

The Interplay Between International Refugee Law and International Criminal Law
Although none of the countries in the Global North have had armed conflicts on their soil since the Second
World War, there are currently war criminals, and witnesses and victims of atrocity crimes in these countries.
Many victims have come as asylum seekers. This presents a particular problem for those suspected and accused
of international crimes. Their legal status and treatment is subject to several different legal frameworks,
including refugee law and criminal law. How should we deal with a person who meets all the criteria of being a
refugee while at the same time is a suspected war criminal? The difficulties are compounded by the fact that the
relevant legal frameworks apply different standards when classifying somebody as a criminal. The lecture
addresses the mismatch between international refugee law and international criminal law and the policy goals
behind prosecuting international crimes domestically.