Association of Young International Criminal Lawyers
Young International Criminal Lawyers
YICL aspires to bring together lawyers and jurists passionate about criminal and international law. It provides a platform for open discourse about the international legal landscape, focussing in particular on International Criminal Law and Procedure, International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law and more generally Public International Law and Criminal Law.
Areas of Interest
International Criminal Law is a branch of public international law that defines and prosecutes the most serious crimes that concern the international community as a whole—genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. It allows individuals to be held criminally responsible for these acts regardless of their official capacity.
International Human Rights Law (IHRL) protects the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and groups. These rights stem from international treaties and customary law, and they oblige states— and in some cases non-state actors— to uphold them through laws and policies. Unlike International Humanitarian Law, human rights apply at all times. When national systems fail to address abuses, international and regional mechanisms exist to support justice and accountability. IHRL may be enforced by regional or universal bodies upon failure of the state’s primary responsibilities to respect, protect, and promote human rights.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), also known as Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), is a body of law that governs the conduct of parties to the hostilities during international and non-international armed conflict by limiting the means and methods of warfare they may lawfully use, imposing duties of care over persons not participating in hostilities, civilian objects, and the environment, and establishing a duty to extradite or prosecute individuals responsible for the gravest breaches thereof upon states.
Public International Law is the framework of rules and principles that regulate relations between states and other entities recognized as subjects of international law. Unlike domestic legal systems, it operates without a central legislative authority, relying instead on multiple sources such as treaties, customary international law, and general principles recognized by the international community. Public international law governs a wide range of issues, including diplomacy, the use of force, human rights, and environmental protection, providing the legal basis for cooperation and conflict resolution among states.
Criminal Law defines offenses, governs the investigation, prosecution, and trial of suspected individuals, and establishes penalties and treatment for convicted offenders. It is one of several mechanisms societies use to protect individual security and maintain social order. Unlike tort law, which addresses private injuries, criminal law deals with acts considered offenses against the public, even if the harm is suffered by an individual.
Members & Network
We are lawyers specialising in International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law as well as, more generally, in Public International law and Criminal Law.
Founding Members:
- Angelo Stirone
- Arif Erkut Özkan
- Georgina Bonacera
- Gustavo Minervini
- Hillary Hubley
- Shireen Priya Meghe
Values
Human Rights
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." YICL is an inclusive association. We see unity within diversity, and strive to include people from all backgrounds and cultures. We also aim to provide members with access to a diverse array of speakers and events. We stand for freedom of speech and belief, and think this is best embodied through encouraging open discourse and divergent viewpoints.
Due Process & Fair Trial
We affirm that all persons must have equal access to courts and tribunals. Equality before courts and tribunals, including equal access to justice, has been described by the Human Rights Committee as key to the protection of human rights and the safeguarding of the rule of law. As practitioners, we firmly uphold these principles.
Multilateralism & International Cooperation
“Peace and dialogue have become an inevitable necessity for humankind and their realization is a collective responsibility … without the support of the international community, national and international interests cannot be enhanced.” This was the founding promise of the United Nations in 1945 and these are the values on which our association is based. We strive to create a global network of junior practitioners, making a space for discourse of such ideas and facilitating connections and opportunities for sustained dialogue.
Rule of Law & Democracy
Democracy promotes freedom, human rights, good governance and participation of citizens in decision-making processes. As lawyers, we have the responsibility to defend the Constitutions and values on which our democracy depends. We must preserve a democratic climate in society, fighting back against the assaults on the Rule of Law and core democratic principles.
Equal Opportunity
YICL acknowledges that access to opportunities can often be impeded by factors including race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, class, and ability. We take a firm stance on anti-discrimination and aspire to create an environment that empowers all its members. Together we can work toward recognising and repairing the systemic inequities that exist in our field.
250
Members
45
Countries
6
Continents
5
Areas of Interest
