War Crimes Research Office

12/09/2025

🎉 Save the Date!

In 2026, the War Crimes Research Office at American University Washington College of Law will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in Washington, DC.

📍 AUWCL, Washington, DC
📅 April 21 – Reception & Keynote Speech
📅 April 22 – Conference

Join us as we reflect on three decades of advancing accountability for atrocity crimes and supporting the work of international and hybrid courts and tribunals.

More details and registration information coming soon!

06/08/2025

Wrapping Up the International Criminal Law Course – The Hague Summer Law Program!!

Yesterday we concluded the International Criminal Law course, part of our Summer Law Program in The Hague!

Over the past two weeks, our students have had an extraordinary academic and professional journey:

📍 Week 1: Visits to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT)
📍 Week 2: Visits to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) and the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Throughout the course, students learned from leading practitioners, judges, and renowned professors in the field of international criminal law.

We’re wrapping up the week with a final trip to Amsterdam, celebrating the end of an inspiring and rigorous experience. 🌍⚖️

Up next: students will begin the course on International Legal Approaches to Terrorism, continuing their deep dive into international law over the next two weeks.

06/06/2025

📣 Career Panel Highlight – The Hague Summer Law Program

Yesterday, students in our Summer Law Program in The Hague had the incredible opportunity to hear from three distinguished WCL alumni and the Academic Director of our partner institute, Asser Institute at a career panel held as part of the Program.

🎙️ Eric Iverson (WCL Alum JD’06)
🎙️ Anand Shah (WCL Alum JD’09)
🎙️ Emma Brandon, JD/PhD (WCL Alum JD’17)
🎙️ Christophe Paulussen (Academic Director at Asser)

They shared insights on careers in international law, navigating global legal challenges, and the impact of their time in The Hague.

Thank you to our speakers for their time, honesty, and inspiration — and to our students for such thoughtful questions!

04/10/2025

WCRO Co-hosts Critical Discussion on Addressing Mass Atrocities in Sudan

On April 7, 2025, the War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) co-hosted a panel discussion entitled "Mass Atrocities in Sudan: How to Give Effect to the U.S. Determination of Genocide and End the Conflict?" with Au WCL's Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. The event brought together leading voices in international law and human rights to examine the implications of the United States' genocide determination in Sudan and explore concrete strategies to end ongoing atrocities and promote accountability.

The panel was co-moderated by WCRO Director Susana SáCouto and David Donat-Cattin, Adjunct Associate Professor of International Law and of Climate Change and Human Rights at New York University (NYU) Center for Global Affairs. Together, they guided a rich and thought-provoking discussion that addressed both the legal and policy dimensions of responding to mass atrocities. Panelists provided in-depth analyses of the current crisis in Sudan, offering critical insight into the responsibilities of the international community and the mechanisms available to hold perpetrators accountable.

Additional co-sponsors included the NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs, The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, and the American Society of International Law, reflecting a strong spirit of collaboration among institutions committed to addressing atrocity crimes and advancing human rights globally.

04/03/2025

Join Us for an Urgent Discussion on Mass Atrocities in Sudan!

The War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) and the Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law at AUWCL invite you to a critical conversation:
Mass Atrocities in Sudan: How to Give Effect to the U.S. Determination of Genocide and End the Conflict?

📅 Date: April 7, 2025�🕜 Time: 12:00 - 2:00 PM ET�📍 Location: NT01 (Join Online or In-Person)

🔗 Register Here:https://forms.gle/FEBEGVpagDaGzd7J6

Co-sponsored by NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, and the American Society of International Law.

03/25/2025

Join Us for an Urgent Discussion on Mass Atrocities in Sudan!

The War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) and the Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law at AUWCL invite you to a critical conversation:
Mass Atrocities in Sudan: How to Give Effect to the U.S. Determination of Genocide and End the Conflict?

📅 Date: April 7, 2025�🕜 Time: 12:00 - 2:00 PM ET�📍 Location: NT01 (Join Online or In-Person)

🔗 Register Here:https://forms.gle/FEBEGVpagDaGzd7J6

Co-sponsored by NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, and the American Society of International Law.

03/24/2025

AUWCL Wins Second Place at the 12th Annual Clara Barton Competition!

The War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) is proud to congratulate Paige Carter, Olivia Kaempf, and Tim Streit for their outstanding performance at the 12th Annual Clara Barton International Humanitarian Law Competition, hosted by the American Red Cross.

* Competition Awards
* Individual
* Best Oral Advocate: Olivia Kaempf
* Team
* Second Place Winner

* Honorable Mentions
* Best Application Brief

This simulation-based competition challenges participants to apply international humanitarian law (IHL) in real-world crisis scenarios, and our team demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication.
The team was selected and coached by WCRO Director Susana SaCouto, current 3L Amal Rass and Jack Kirk JD ‘24.

Congratulations to our team for their impressive achievement!

10/18/2024

Event only in Spanish!

📢 Conversatorio Sobre Casos Emblemáticos: La Sentencia en el Caso Manta y Vilca 🏛️⚖️

La Oficina de Investigación sobre Crímenes de Guerra (WCRO) tiene el honor de invitarte a este importante conversatorio sobre el emblemático caso Manta y Vilca, un momento clave en la lucha por la justicia en casos de violencia sexual durante el conflicto armado en Perú.

Este evento será moderado por Susana SáCouto, Directora de la WCRO, y contará con expertos que analizarán las implicaciones de esta sentencia para los derechos humanos y la rendición de cuentas en contextos de violencia de género en conflictos armados.

No pierdas la oportunidad de unirte a esta conversación sobre justicia, derechos humanos y la rendición de cuentas en casos de violencia sexual durante conflictos armados. ¡Te esperamos! 👩‍⚖️👨‍⚖️

10/02/2024

WCRO Director Susana SáCouto Co-leads Workshops in Bogotá in Support of Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace

On September 26 and 27, Professor SáCouto traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, to conduct a series of workshops and meetings with colleagues from the Laboratorio de Justicia Política y Criminal (a Colombia-based non-profit organization with expertise providing technical assistance to transitional and criminal justice mechanisms, and law enforcement agencies) for magistrates and staff of Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP). These activities are part of a multi-year State Department-funded initiative titled “Enhancing the Impact of Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace through a Holistic Transitional Justice Approach,” which was recently extended for an additional two years. The project has four key objectives: 1) strengthening the capacity of the JEP to redress atrocity crimes committed during the Colombian conflict, in particular, by those who facilitated, ordered or failed to prevent or punish those crimes; 2) ensuring the JEP’s cases reflect a gender perspective and intersectional approach; 3) enhancing victim participation in JEP processes; and 4) bolstering current efforts to ensure that victims have access to competent and independent legal representation.

09/12/2024

🎉 Today, WCRO Director SáCouto moderated a Career Power Hour sponsored by the War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) and the Office of Career & Professional Development AUWCL OCPD

The session featured WCRO alumni council members sharing their career journeys, valuable advice, and tips on navigating the Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law field. Special thanks to our amazing panelists:
Vy Nguyen, JD '15
Tara Vassefi, JD '16
Ali Boyd, JD '19
Kate Holcombe, JD '18

The event offered a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in 1-on-1 conversations with these esteemed professionals, learning firsthand about "a day in the life" in HR, IHL and ICL career paths.

💼 We were thrilled to see so many students actively participating and gaining insights into their future careers. Networking and mentorship opportunities like these are what make the AUWCL community so strong!

Thank you to all who joined us. Let’s continue to build connections and support one another in our professional journeys!

08/19/2024

Join us for this amazing Career Power Hour sponsor by the WCRO and the OCPD!

📅 Date: September 12th
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
📍 Location: NT07

🗣 Panelists:
- Vy Nguyen JD '15
- Tara Vassefi JD '16
- Ali Boyd JD '19
- Kate Holcombe JD '18

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear from inspiring Alumni Council Members sharing their experiences and insights!

🔗 To register: https://forms.office.com/r/bqgMEWNBET

07/09/2024

WCRO Director Susana SáCouto and Assistant Director Natalie Coburn prepared the report Russian Irregular Forces: Pursuing Accountability in collaboration with New America

The report examines prospects for prosecuting atrocity crimes by irregular armed groups like the , and identifies key jurisdictions and legal pathways for accountability—critical analysis for ongoing efforts in and beyond.



The Wagner Group committed atrocities worldwide. Select European courts exercising universal jurisdiction may hold the key to accountability for the paramilitary group's crimes.