Training Courses in International and Transnational Criminal Law
The international criminal justice system has witnessed significant progress over the past 40 years with the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and several ad hoc international criminal tribunals. Despite these landmark developments, the primary responsibility assigned by international law for the prosecution and prevention of international crimes remains with states. Therefore, the role of national prosecutors and judges is fundamental in combating impunity and providing access to justice for victims, in preventing crimes, and promoting the rule of law for societies.
To support national jurisdictions, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut, the Antonio Cassese Initiative, the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, and, since 2026, the International Organisation of La Francophonie organise training courses on international criminal law (ICL) and transnational criminal law (TCL). The training courses are developed for judges and prosecutors to: strengthen their capacity to prosecute and try international and transnational crimes; enhance their ability to protect human rights, including fair trial rights enshrined in international instruments; ensure effective cooperation with the ICC and other international criminal tribunals; and increase cooperation among national judiciaries.
Participants in these courses are from countries that are dealing with fragile or weak judicial sectors, as well as ICC situation countries and countries that are facing challenges prosecuting international and transnational crimes, including terrorism. The courses are delivered by experienced academics and practitioners before international criminal tribunals and courts.
French speaking editions
The french speaking training started in 2018. It is organised yearly by the T.M.C. Asser Instituut, the Antonio Cassese Initiative, the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, and, since 2026, the International Organisation of La Francophonie.
Since 2018, we have welcomed more than hundred participants from Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Tchad, Central African Republic, Burundi, and Togo.
Our latest training took place in the summer 2025. More information on previous ICL-TCL training can be found here: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023.
The 2026 edition will take place in the Hague in October 2026.
Spanish speaking editions
In 2024 and 2025, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut, the Antonio Cassese Initiative, and the International Nuremberg Principles Academy organised a training course in Spanish language for Colombian judges of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
Our latest training took place in July 2025 in Bogota.
Looking forward
Our long-term goal is to expand the ICL-TCL training facility in The Hague for judges and prosecutors coming from countries facing challenges in the administration of justice. With this training, we aim to set up a permanent training centre for judges and prosecutors in The Hague, offering an annual programme, supported by e-learning, in the field of ICL, TCL and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
More information
Please contact Cécile Heijnen (project officer) or Dr Niki Siampakou (project leader and researcher at the T.M.C. Asser Instituut)
The Asser Institute is grateful to the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, the Antonio Cassese Initiative, the International Organisation of La Francophonie, and the International Committee of the Red Cross for their financial support. In the past The Hague Municipality and the African Institute of International Law based in Arusha contributed with their collaboration. Between 2022 and 2024, the training was part of the Orange Knowledge Programme, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Netherlands' development policy and managed by Nuffic.