Last Surviving Nuremberg Prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz Visits the Asser Institute

Published 30 May 2018

The last surviving Nuremberg prosecutor and international criminal law champion Benjamin Ferencz paid a surprise visit to the T.M.C. Asser Instituut, on 28 May, to kick off the 12th edition of the Annual Summer Law Programme on International Criminal Law and International Legal & Comparative Approaches to Counter-Terrorism.

It was Ferencz’ third visit to the Asser Institute and like the previous times, he was able to inspire and move a new young generation of international lawyers through his incredible life story and inexorable energy to make the world a more peaceful place. Ferencz, now 98 years old and guided by his mottos “Law, not war” and “Never give up!”, stressed the importance of moving away from nationalistic thinking, to prevent war from occurring and to believe in the message that the impossible is in fact possible.

 

The 12th edition of the Annual Summer Law Programme on International Criminal Law and International Legal & Comparative Approaches to Counter-Terrorism takes places at the Asser Institute from 28 May - 21 June 2018. It is the product of a unique collaboration between the War Crimes Research Office of American University’s Washington College of Law and the T.M.C. Asser Instituut.

From right to left: Prof. Susana SáCouto, Director of the War Crimes Research Office, American University Washington College of Law, Benjamin Ferencz, Former Nuremberg Prosecutor and advocate for global justice,
and Dr. Christophe Paulussen, Senior Researcher, T.M.C. Asser Instituut