On Justice #11

Venue: HAU1

With Philippe Sands, Herta Däubler-Gmelin & Wolfgang Kaleck Moderated by Siri Keil

On the rubble of the history of violence of the 20th century, the idea of universal international criminal law emerged as a response to genocide and crimes against humanity. Even though it could not heal wounds and undo suffering suffered, the Nuremberg Trials marked a decisive moment: They established truth and responsibility — an indispensable step for affected societies and survivors of mass crimes.

Today, authoritarian governments and other powers are undermining the hard-won international legal order in order to secure impunity for wars abroad and suppression internally. How can civil society actors defend international law under these conditions? And how can human rights be effectively enforced?

Peace Prize winner of the German Book Trade 2026 and lawyer Philippe Sands, former Federal Minister of Justice Herta Däubler-Gmelin and human rights lawyer Wolfgang Kaleck talk about this in issue #11 of On Justice. Based on Philippe Sands' latest book “The Disappearances of London 38: On Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia,” they discuss the relationship between literature and law, the possibilities and limits of international criminal law, and the significance of remembrance and testimony — 80 years after the verdict of the Nuremberg Trials.

There are two marked parking spaces in front of the house. Access to the parquet floor is possible via a separate entrance with lift. Barrier-free sanitary facilities available.