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 combatting 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 and International Nuremberg Principles Academy 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. Each training consists of an online training and is followed up by an in-person training. The trainers are experienced academics and practitioners before international criminal tribunals and courts.

Looking back

Since 2018 we have welcomed more than hundred participants from Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Mali, Niger and Tchad.
Our latest training took place in May and June 2023. More information on previous ICL-TCL training can be found here: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

To hear and read more about the impact and aims of the training, go here.

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 Helen Cheng (project officer) or Dr. Marta Bo, (project leader and researcher at the T.M.C. Asser Instituut and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, and member of the board of the Antonio Cassese Initiative). 

The Asser Institute is grateful to the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, the Antonio Cassese Initiative 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. The training is part of the Orange Knowledge Programme, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Netherlands' development policy and managed by Nuffic.