This festival celebrates a decade of Legal Sightseeing as a collaborative research platform, founded by Renske Vos (Vrij Universiteit Amsterdam) and Sofia Stolk (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam/Asser Institute). It presents the newly published book Legal Sightseeing and International Law (Routledge) and highlights the practice of legal sightseeing, including creative activities, guided ‘tours’, an exhibition, and a festive reception. […]
Join us for a panel discussion that explores how international law and diplomacy actually functioned in Roman Antiquity (500 BCE - 476 CE). This period is often presented in modern handbooks of the history of international law either as a ‘primitive stage’ or a ‘pre-history’, when it is not left out of the handbook narrative […]
Sexual violence in conflict is systematically underreported — especially when the victims are men. This panel discussion brings to light one of the least visible dimensions of Russia's war against Ukraine: the deliberate use of sexual violence against male detainees as a weapon of war. Based on testimonies from 212 Ukrainian men held across five […]
On 8 March 2026, Iran’s Vice President and head of the Department of Environment, Shina Ansari, describedstrikes on Tehran’s oil depots as “ecocide”. Increasingly, the term is being used to describe serious harm against the environment. More importantly, efforts are being made around the world to criminalise ecocide, at both the national and international level. […]
This special Benjamin Ferencz Lecture, organised in cooperation with the International Humanitarian and Criminal Law Platform, will celebrate The Hague launch of the book Nuremberg’s Citizen Prosecutor – Benjamin Ferencz and the Birth of International Justice. The book, authored by Gregory Gordon, Professor of Law at Peking University School of Transnational Law, tells the story […]
Defending Justice in Times of War: Fair Trials in Ukraine How can fair trial standards be upheld during active conflict? This Benjamin Ferencz Lecture brings together leading defence practitioners to examine the realities of ensuring justice in international crimes trials. Event Details Date: Wednesday 22 April 2026 Time: 16:30 Location: Asser Institute About the Event […]
How Do International Courts Shape State Behaviour? Judicial remedies are at the heart of international law—but how exactly do they influence states and ensure compliance? Join this expert book discussion to explore the often-overlooked power of international courts. Event Details Date: Thursday 9 April 2026 Time: 17:00 Location: Asser Institute Fee: Free About the Event […]
What happens when artificial intelligence becomes embedded across the entire security landscape? Join us on 1 April 2026 for a one-day conference hosted by the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague exploring how AI is transforming global security—and how law and governance must respond. Bringing together experts from academia, policy, defence, industry, and civil society, […]
Please join us for a lecture from the Honourable Judge Dire Tladi. This lecture offers an opportunity to hear directly from a sitting international judge on the role, responsibilities, and limits of international adjudication today. This event marks the second annual Judging International Justice Lecture. Drawing on his experience as a judge, scholar, and former […]
Join us for a keynote lecture by Prof. Nikolas Rajkovic (Tilburg University), exploring how our traditional way of seeing the world through maps is being strained by an increasingly complex reality of infrastructures and systems, leaving international law in a ‘perceptual lag’. The territorial trap For decades, territorial maps promised order. But this ‘cartographic imagination' is breaking. Prof. Rajkovic warns that international legal discipline is stuck in an outdated mindset that ignores modern reality. […]
The Asser Institute and Movies that Matter invite you to a special screening of the powerful documentary, 'Theatre of Violence' that takes place in The Hague on Tuesday, 9 December 2025. The film follows the landmark trial of Dominic Ongwen, a former commander in Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), at the International Criminal Court […]
On 3 December 2025, from 18:00, the Asser Institute and the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK) will present 'Framing Climate Justice', an exhibition that visually investigates the entangled consequences of our current global system. Three emerging photographers, Emilie Tizien, Jamie Smith and Tori McCrea, spent 3 months within the Asser Institute, collaborating […]
It has now been over a year since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rendered its much-awaited Advisory Opinion (AO) on Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Therein, the Court made it abundantly clear that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) is unlawful and that it must end and that Israel’s practices and policies in the […]
Is private international law up to the challenge? This one-day conference will explore how private international law is adapting to a world marked by rapid change, digital disruption, and increasing legal complexity. Private international law deals with cross-border legal disputes. It answers questions like: which country’s court should hear a case? And which country’s laws […]
This short online course examines the dynamic and often contested space where gender, sport, and human rights intersect. It explores key issues such as eligibility regulations and inclusion, with particular attention to the experiences of transgender athletes and athletes with sex variations. The course incorporates evolving international developments—including the landmark 2025 judgment of the European […]
On 18 September 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/ES-10/24. The resolution, introduced by the State of Palestine, welcomed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion from 19 July 2024 on the Legal consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. It […]
Please join us for a free screening of the film Hidden Life (2025) by Martin Maat and Hans Hermans, followed by a panel talk and networking event. This event is co-organised with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and will take place at the Asser Institute on Sunday 21 September. Hidden Life is the story of the estimated 23,000 Venezuelans on Aruba and […]
From workshops and trainings to large conferences, our modern facilities — including hybrid options and sustainable catering — ensure a smooth experience. We also offer optional support with guest registration, check-in, ticketing, and event communications. Contact our team for a custom, no-obligation quote:
