Palestine Academia

Justice for Palestine:

Perspectives from International Criminal and Human Rights Law

International Conference & Workshop

Filistin için Adalet: Uluslararası Ceza ve İnsan Hakları Hukuku Perspektifi Uluslararası

 Konferans ve Çalıştay

Valencia University Faculty of Law

10-11 December 2025

Program

About Conference

In Palestine, the systematic violations of international humanitarian and human rights law are not only escalating with alarming intensity but have become a defining feature of daily life under occupation. The persistent failure and inadequacy of existing accountability mechanisms have entrenched a culture of impunity, enabling the ongoing commission of international crimes, including genocide. This entrenched impunity not only denies victims justice but actively perpetuates a cycle of violence, where each unpunished crime fuels the next, deepening suffering and eroding the integrity and credibility of the international legal order itself. Against this backdrop, urgent questions arise: Can international criminal law offer an effective remedy? Has the International Criminal Court (ICC) demonstrated sufficient resolve in addressing the crimes committed in Palestine, particularly those unfolding in Gaza since October 2023?

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This conference seeks to take stock of the ICC’s performance in the Palestine investigation, examining its achievements, limitations, and broader implications. It will further consider whether international criminal justice, as currently conceived and practiced, can meaningfully contribute to accountability, deterrence, and sustainable peace. In parallel, the conference will explore alternative and complementary avenues of justice, looking at how the cycle of impunity might finally be broken where existing international institutions have proven inadequate.

Conference Themes:

  • The International Criminal Court and the Palestine Investigation – Current Developments
  • Political Challenges and Threats Facing the ICC
  • The Role of NGOs in the ICC’s Palestine Inquiry
  • Universal Jurisdiction

The conference will comprise round-table discussions of the above topics, each with five or six experts. These will adopt an interdisciplinary approach to the topic under discussion and encourage audience participation. There will also be an open call for papers, and the best submissions will be discussed at each of the round tables, depending on their subject matter.

Abstracts should not exceed 300 words. Please submit your abstract via: https://forms.gle/VowqnCWbfg2cNeBA7

For any queries, please feel free to contact: zeynep.gultepe@turkiyehukuk.net

There is no participation fee. Funding for travel and accommodation expenses is available for a limited number of selected papers.

On the second day, a closed workshop will take place, accessible only to invited participants.

 Important Dates

  • Announcement of the conference: September 15, 2025
  • Deadline for abstracts: October 30, 2025
  • Announcement of the Accepted Abstracts: November 10, 2025
  • Announcement of the Conference Program: November 20, 2025
  • Conference Dates: December 10-11, 2025
  • Publication of the selected papers: April 2026

Organising Committee

  • Atty. Yasin Şamlı (Head of Istanbul 2 Bar Association, Türkiye)
  • Prof. Dr. Andrés Gascón Cuenca (Vice Dean, Faculty of Law, Human Rights Institute, University of Valencia, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Fethi Gedikli (Dean, Faculty of Law, Istanbul University, Türkiye)
  • Atty. Necati Ceylan (International Jurist Union)
  • Atty. Cahit Özkan (Member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey [MP])
  • Atty. Ahmet Akcan (Head of Türkiye Law Platform, Türkiye)
  • Prof. Dr. Lucia Aparicio Chofre (University of Valencia, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Maite Alemany (Human Rights Institute, University of Valencia, Spain)
  • Dr. Hasan Basri Bülbül (Bogazici University, Türkiye)
  • Dr. Zeynep Gültepe (Law Coordinator, Türkiye Law Platform, Türkiye)
  • Dr. Eirene De Prada (Juristas Por Palestina, University Francisco de Vitoria, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Estrella del Valle (Human Rights Institute, University of Valencia, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Joan Marc Ferrando Hernández (University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona)
  • Prof. Dr. Fabiola Meco (Human Rights Institute, University of Valencia, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Raquel Vanyó Vicedo (Human Rights Institute, University of Valencia, Spain)
  • Selman Aksünger (PhD Candidate, Maastricht University, Netherlands)
  • Juan Carlos González Suárez Vicedo (PhD Candidate, Human Rights Institute, University of Valencia, Spain)

Scientific Committee

  • Prof. Dr. Clara Viana (Dean, Faculty of Law, University of València)
  • Prof. Dr. Ali Emrah Bozbayındır (Bogazici University)
  • Prof. Dr. Yavuz Atar (Ibn Haldun University) 
  • Prof. Dr. Akif Emre Öktem (Galatasaray University)
  • Prof. Dr. Jose García-Añón (Director, Human Rights Institute, University of Valencia)
  • Prof. Dr. Mutaz Qafisheh (Hebron University)
  • Prof. Dr. Javier De Lucas (Human Rights Institute, University of València, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal (Kastamonu University)
  • Prof. Dr. María José Añón Roig (Human Rights Institute, University of València, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Berdal Aral (Istanbul Medeniyet University)
  • Prof. Dr. Consuelo Ramón (Public International Law Department, University of València, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Cristina García-Pascual (Human Rights Institute, University of València, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Rafael de Asís (Director, Human Rights Age Network, Universidad Carlos III of Madrid, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Vicente Bellver Capella (University of Valencia, Spain)
  • Prof. Dr. Hamit Emrah Beriş (Cukurova University)
  • Prof. Dr. Naim Demirel (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University)
  • Doç. Dr. Selman Dursun (Istanbul University)

Event Venue

Valencia University Faculty of Law

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