On 5 November 2025, the Bristol Law School’s Research in Public International Law (RIPIL) group hosted a hybrid workshop and roundtable discussion exploring the continuing relevance of the Nuremberg Principles in the context of the war in Ukraine and other conflicts. Professor Gerhard Kemp, group lead for RIPIL, welcomed the local and international audience and noted that it is the second RIPIL event (and book discussion) for the new academic year, with more to come.
More than 40 international law scholars and academics joined the discussion, both in person and online, representing universities and research centres from the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia and North America, highlighting the global relevance of the Nuremberg Principles today.
As the Russian invasion continues to raise urgent questions of justice and accountability, the principles established at Nuremberg 80 years ago remain a cornerstone of international law. This workshop centred on the recently published volume Nuremberg Principles and Ukraine: The Contemporary Challenges to Peace, Security and Justice (Bloomsbury 2025), edited by Marshall J. Breger and Herbert R. Reginbogin. The book brings together leading international law scholars to examine themes including accountability for the crime of aggression, genocide, the abduction of Ukrainian children, the destruction of cultural heritage and the ongoing evolution of international criminal justice.
Keynote reflections
The keynote was delivered by Professor Herbert R. Reginbogin, Collegiate Law Fellow at The Catholic University of America and co-editor of Nuremberg Principles and Ukraine: The Contemporary Challenges to Peace, Security and Justice. He opened by paying tribute to a late colleague and co-editor of the book whose dedication to justice continues to inspire current efforts in international law.
Professor Reginbogin spoke about the determination of Ukrainian lawyers and researchers working tirelessly to uphold the rule of law prevails and ensure that accountability mechanisms are (set up) and used. He emphasised that the Nuremberg Principles, rejecting impunity for international crimes and immunity for officials, remain as relevant today as ever, particularly as a new mechanism for prosecuting aggression is being developed in The Hague. He also reminded us of the importance of maintaining the credibility of international courts and of ensuring that they continue to operate in a transparent manner. He also addressed the challenges of corruption and governance within Ukraine, framing the pursuit of accountability as “a commitment to the future” and a necessary step in confronting the difficult questions that accompany war and occupation.
Panel discussion
- Dr Viviane Dittrich (Deputy Director, International Nuremberg Principles Academy, Germany) reflected on the lasting legacy of the Nuremberg Trials and their ongoing relevance in international law. She emphasised the importance of holding instigators of war accountable, citing the full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a reminder of the need for justice. She closed by paying tribute to Benjamin B. Ferencz, whose motto “Law not War” continues to inspire new generations of legal scholars and practitioners.
- Professor Stefanie Bock (Philipps University of Marburg, Germany) reflected on the ongoing importance of holding perpetrators of war crimes to account. After emphasising that the Nuremberg Principles have been fully embraced by the German Code of Crimes against International Law, she explained that Germany is currently undertaking structural investigations into international crimes committed in the conflict in Ukraine but has yet to charge anyone..
- Dr Saeed Bagheri (University of Reading) examined the often-overlooked ‘ecocide’ and environmental dimensions of armed conflict, highlighting the severe ecological damage caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine – from polluted rivers and destroyed soil to the collapse of critical infrastructure. He argued that such harm raises urgent questions about how international law defines and prosecutes environmental crimes in wartime.
- Professor Noëlle Quénivet (UWE Bristol) explored the Statute of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, highlighting the rigorous legal thinking underpinning its development and addressing misconceptions about its structure and purpose. In particular, she discussed some of the most controversial elements, i.e. its legitimacy, especially as it is set in a European context, and selectivity as well as the immunity given to some officials.
- Dr Caleb Wheeler (Cardiff University) discussed the complexities of the right to a fair trial when the accused is absent. He noted that while defendants can voluntarily waive their presence, holding a trial entirely in their absence is controversial. Drawing on Nuremberg precedents, he emphasised the need for proper notice and legal representation, warning that without these safeguards, trials risk producing further injustices.
Discussion and closing remarks
The workshop concluded with a roundtable that brought together these diverse perspectives, highlighting the complexities of accountability, justice and human rights in times of conflict. Speakers examined the design and rigour of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, the environmental dimensions of war, and the safeguards required to ensure fair trials.
Reflecting on the challenges discussed, Professor Herbert Reginbogin remarked:
“What happens to human rights when war begins? This is the question we, as academics and practitioners, must confront.”
The discussion underscored the ongoing relevance of the Nuremberg Principles and the vital role of scholarship in navigating the evolving landscape of international law. Dr Luke Eda, Senior Lecturer in Law at UWE Bristol, closed the workshop by thanking participants for their contributions to a timely and engaging dialogue. The event demonstrated RIPIL’s commitment to fostering informed debate and research on the legal and moral challenges of contemporary conflict.
To learn more about research and future events, visit Research in Public International Law (RIPIL).
