William A. Schabas on the Genocide Convention before the International Court of Justice

On 23 April 2026, the Maastricht Centre for Human Rights hosted the annual Theo van Boven Lecture, delivered by William A. Schabas, Professor of international law at Middlesex University. The lecture, titled ”A refresh of the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice?”, examined the evolving role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in interpreting an applying the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The lecture provided an overview of the increasing number of cases brought before the ICJ under the Genocide Convention, noting that while more than twenty cases have been initiated, none has yet resulted in a finding that a State committed genocide. Particular attention was given to the four pending cases and the growing number of State interventions in these proceedings. Professor Schabas explored key legal questions arising in this context, including the interpretation of genocidal intent, the challenges of proving such intent in State responsibility proceedings, and the role of different forms of evidence, such as findings from international tribunals and fact-finding mechanisms.

Attention was also given to the broader position of the ICJ, noting its increasing involvement in politically sensitive disputes and its potential development as a forum for addressing issues with a strong human rights dimension. 

The Theo van Boven Lecture is the Maastricht Centre for Human Right’s flagship annual event, honouring the legacy of Theo van Boven and his contribution to international human rights law. Each year, the lecture brings a distinguished speaker to reflect on pressing issues in the field, continuing the spirit of his work and engagement.