How Can Justice Be Achieved for the Perpetrators of Atrocities?
Att. Yael Vias Gvirsman, Israel Law and Association Yearly Summit, Peres Academic Center, 30 January 2025
• Accountability and Prosecution: What justice is appropriate for the victims? Should it take place in Israeli courts or involve international collaboration with experts and allied nations? Insights from international law emphasize effective enforcement and accountability for crimes. What evidence is needed, and who is responsible for these acts?
• Preventing Gender-Based and Sexual Violence: What is the existing and desired legal framework in Israel? Insights from international examples of addressing similar atrocities include rehabilitation and justice for victims and communities. In this context, Attorney Yael Vias Gvirsman published a chapter for practitioners on global measures to prevent gender-based and sexual violence, including in Israel. As part of an international coalition advocating for victims’ rights, we aim to promote effective responses in Israel and other regions.
• Amplifying Victims’ Voices in Justice Processes: Justice is a profound concept. It can be achieved both within and outside criminal proceedings. It is critical for victims’ voices to be heard and recognized. We share examples from various global contexts, providing valuable insights into addressing the challenges we face. This issue is also relevant to investigative commissions.
As we continue our mission, two critical questions guide our next steps:
What role should victims play in any accountability mechanism?Our comparative study on restorative justice models from other conflict situations will provide valuable insights. What kind of justice is appropriate for the perpetrators of Hamas attacks on October 7?
Should this involve Israeli national courts, an internationalised or hybrid court, or a combination of approaches? How do we investigate and prosecute international crimes committed on and since October 7? These questions will be explored in upcoming blogs.
Stay tuned to our policy paper in cooperation with Reichman University International Criminal and Humanitarian Law Clinic where we engaged with Israel lawmakers. We focus on the contribution of international accountability doctrines in mass atrocities, against direct and indirect co-perpetrators, including those who encourage, order, aid and abet and de facto or de jure military commanders, based on eight decades of case law, from Nuremberg to the October Trials [see upcoming NY event 13 March, 2025, VIP invitations will be released soon if you are in NY and wish to receive an invitation please write us at Michalya@october7justice.org ].
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