The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have dramatically revived global attention to international criminal justice, bringing the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) into public discourse as symbols of an urgent quest for accountability. Yet, this renewed interest also exposes the fragility and limits of the international legal order. While the Rome Statute was conceived as a cornerstone of universal justice — embodying the post–Nuremberg aspiration to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression — its promises remain only partially fulfilled.

The asymmetry of international responses to different crises raises pressing questions about the politicization of justice and the uneven application of international norms. National legal systems play a decisive role in implementing and complementing international mechanisms, but discrepancies among States — both in willingness and capacity — continue to undermine the universality of the system.

Reflecting on historical and contemporary perspectives, this webinar will explore whether the current conflicts signal the erosion of faith in international law or, conversely, represent an opportunity to rethink and strengthen its foundations. Drawing on past lessons and recent challenges, the discussion will address the enduring tension between justice and power, asking whether a truly impartial and effective international legal order is still possible — or whether we are, indeed, witnessing a requiem for international law