On October 13, 2025, FAU CHREN hosted a book launch followed by a panel discussion on “Feminist Judgments: Reimagining the International Criminal Court.” The editors Prof. Dr. Louise Chappell, Dr. Kcasey McLoughlin, and Dr. Suzanne Varall were guests at FAU CHREN, along with numerous speakers.
The event was organized by the FAU Research Center for Human Rights Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU CHREN) in cooperation with the International Nuremberg Principles Academy and the UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute with kind support from the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Foundation.
Co-Organizers were Dr. Janina Heaphy (FAU CHREN Board member & Senior Researcher), Kiran Mohandas Menon (International Nuremberg Principles Academy, Senior Officer), Prof. Dr. Eva Pils (Chair of Human Rights Law FAU, FAU CHREN Board member) and Prof. Dr. Louise Chappell (Scientia Professor, University of New South Wales Sydney and former director UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute).
Introducing the Volume
McLoughlin K, Grey R, Chappell L, Varrall S, eds. Feminist Judgments: Reimagining the International Criminal Court. Cambridge University Press; 2025
Why do feminist perspectives on ICC judgements matter and do remote commanders really have a limited ability of taking “necessary and resonable measures” to prevent or punish war crimes? On October 13, 2025, FAU CHREN along with the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, the UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute hosted the launch of the spearheading volume, Feminist Judgments: Reimagining the International Criminal Court (Cambridge University Press, July 2025) featuring these and other discussions central to the topic of gendered implications of war crimes. The event was kindly supported by the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Foundation.
With over 60 contributions, the book critically reinterprets and replicates former ICC judgements from an intersectional feminist perspective. Seeking to redefine the relationship between existing law and gender justice, the volume explores how factors like gender, race, nationality, and sexual orientation intersect within the common interpretation of international criminal law. The launch was part of an international series, with events also held at the LSE Centre for Women Peace and Security as well as at SciencePo Paris.
Key Insights from the Panels and Calls for Transformation
Described book as “treasure chest” containing invaluable guidance for practitioners, like herself
contextualized feminist approach as a transformative force, distinct from a mere gender perspective, suggesting that the current system is “cracking” and the aspiration is for a more equitable future “without hierarchy.”
Editors on Possibility and Context
Dr. Kcasey McLoughlin (Associate Professor, The University of Newcastle-Australia), “The Value of the Feminist Judgment Method for the ICC”
emphasized that book demonstrates what is possible within the bounds of the Rome Statute
stressed that a feminist approach is not a radical departure, but an exercise in embedding context and women’s lived experiences into legal analysis, ultimately proving advantageous for everyone
Prof. Dr. Louise Chappell (Scientia Professor, University of New South Wales Sydney), “The Limits of the Law and Alternative Views”
highlighted that feminist justice centers victims and expands the scope of harm beyond sexual violence, noting that crimes like pillage have profound, gendered economic consequences for women
hopes book offers practitioners concrete examples of how to achieve gender justice
Case Studies
Dr. Suzanne Varrall (Research Fellow, University of Melbourne),“Command Responsibility and Sexual Violence: Central African Republic Situation”
argued that gender-based violence in conflict not inevitable
linked it to inadequate training and oversight regarding command responsibility and stressed the critical need for judges to prioritize listening to victim-survivors
Anushka Sehmi “Meaningful Participation of Victims: Sudan Situation”
advocating for a gender-sensitive approach that ensures effective communication and consultation
emphasized victim participation, respects victims’ agency in choosing legal representation
The Defense’s view
Marie O’Leary (Acting Principal Counsel, Office of Public Counsel for the Defence, ICC)
pointed out the marginalization of the defense and the current lack of a gender defense strategy
concluded that feminist lens must be applied to all decisions, orders, and strategies—not just judgments—to effectively address issues like reparations and the very purpose of punishment.
The discussion concluded with remarks by Dr. Viviane Dittrich (Deputy Director, International Nuremberg Principles Academy), a Q&A, and a poetry recording by Maxine Beneba Clarke.
The reception afterwards featured a photo exhibition by Azimul Hassan, Omal Khair, and Dil Kayas.
The book “Feminist Judgments. Reimagining the International Criminal Court” was published by Cambridge University Press and is also available as an Open Access title from Cambridge Core.
On October 13, 2025, FAU CHREN hosted a book launch followed by a panel discussion on “Feminist Judgments: Reimagining the International Criminal Court.” The editors Prof. Dr. Louise Chappell, Dr. Kcasey McLoughlin, and Dr. Suzanne Varall were guests at FAU CHREN, along with numerous speakers.
The event was organized by the FAU Research Center for Human Rights Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU CHREN) in cooperation with the International Nuremberg Principles Academy and the UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute with kind support from the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Foundation.
Co-Organizers were Dr. Janina Heaphy (FAU CHREN Board member & Senior Researcher), Kiran Mohandas Menon (International Nuremberg Principles Academy, Senior Officer), Prof. Dr. Eva Pils (Chair of Human Rights Law FAU, FAU CHREN Board member) and Prof. Dr. Louise Chappell (Scientia Professor, University of New South Wales Sydney and former director UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute).
Introducing the Volume
Why do feminist perspectives on ICC judgements matter and do remote commanders really have a limited ability of taking “necessary and resonable measures” to prevent or punish war crimes? On October 13, 2025, FAU CHREN along with the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, the UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute hosted the launch of the spearheading volume, Feminist Judgments: Reimagining the International Criminal Court (Cambridge University Press, July 2025) featuring these and other discussions central to the topic of gendered implications of war crimes. The event was kindly supported by the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Foundation.
With over 60 contributions, the book critically reinterprets and replicates former ICC judgements from an intersectional feminist perspective. Seeking to redefine the relationship between existing law and gender justice, the volume explores how factors like gender, race, nationality, and sexual orientation intersect within the common interpretation of international criminal law. The launch was part of an international series, with events also held at the LSE Centre for Women Peace and Security as well as at SciencePo Paris.
Key Insights from the Panels and Calls for Transformation
Methodology: From Perspective to Transformation
Michelle Jarvis (Deputy Head, International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism – Syria IIIM)
Editors on Possibility and Context
Dr. Kcasey McLoughlin (Associate Professor, The University of Newcastle-Australia), “The Value of the Feminist Judgment Method for the ICC”
Prof. Dr. Louise Chappell (Scientia Professor, University of New South Wales Sydney), “The Limits of the Law and Alternative Views”
Case Studies
Dr. Suzanne Varrall (Research Fellow, University of Melbourne),“Command Responsibility and Sexual Violence: Central African Republic Situation”
Anushka Sehmi “Meaningful Participation of Victims: Sudan Situation”
The Defense’s view
Marie O’Leary (Acting Principal Counsel, Office of Public Counsel for the Defence, ICC)
The discussion concluded with remarks by Dr. Viviane Dittrich (Deputy Director, International Nuremberg Principles Academy), a Q&A, and a poetry recording by Maxine Beneba Clarke.
The reception afterwards featured a photo exhibition by Azimul Hassan, Omal Khair, and Dil Kayas.
The book “Feminist Judgments. Reimagining the International Criminal Court” was published by Cambridge University Press and is also available as an Open Access title from Cambridge Core.
Further information