Prime Highlights
- The conference adopted the Istanbul Declaration, calling for accountability for alleged violations of international law and support for the rights of the Palestinian people.
- Delegates launched an international initiative to protect the independence of the International Criminal Court and its judges.
Key Facts
- The conference was jointly organised by the Istanbul No. 2 Bar Association, the International Legal Coalition for Palestine and the Jordanian Bar Association.
- The event brought together judges, lawyers, academics and human rights experts from different countries to discuss international legal accountability.
Background
Legal experts, judges, lawyers and human rights representatives from several countries gathered in Istanbul for the Second International Legal Conference to discuss legal accountability for alleged violations in Palestine. The event concluded with calls to strengthen international justice and protect the independence of global legal institutions.
The International Legal Coalition for Palestine, the Jordanian Bar Association, and the Istanbul No. 2 Bar Association organized the conference. Discussions covered issues including allegations of genocide in Gaza, war crimes, crimes against humanity, settlement expansion, forced displacement, the rights of Palestinian prisoners, universal jurisdiction and the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Participants adopted the Istanbul Declaration for the Defence of the Rights of the Palestinian People. The declaration reaffirmed support for the rights of the Palestinian people, called for accountability for serious violations of international law and stressed the need to protect the independence of the ICC from political pressure and sanctions.
The conference also approved a final declaration outlining legal recommendations. These included support for the equal application of international law, opposition to settlement expansion and forced displacement, stronger use of universal jurisdiction and greater accountability for companies found to be involved in activities linked to the occupation.
One of the key outcomes was the launch of the International Initiative to Defend the International Criminal Court and Its Judges. The initiative aims to protect the court’s independence, respond to political interference and build a global network of legal professionals and human rights organisations.
Participants said independent international justice is essential for maintaining the credibility of the global legal system and preventing impunity for serious violations of international law.
