Global experts discussed the continuing importance of the Nuremberg Principles in today’s world during a workshop held on Mar. 26. The event brought together speakers from various institutions to reflect on how lessons from the Nuremberg Trials can inform current approaches to justice and accountability.
The topic is significant as many countries face new conflicts and questions about international law, ethics, and human rights. The speakers examined how foundational principles established after World War II remain relevant amid modern challenges.
Kiran Mohandes Menon, Senior Officer at the International Nuremberg Principles Academy in Germany, opened the session by recalling “the juxtaposition of justice amidst the ruins of war,” and emphasized that “the trials’ role in shaping international law and accountability” continues today. Menon also urged participants to preserve these principles when facing contemporary conflicts.
Rev. Yuriy Shchurko, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology at the Ukrainian Catholic University, focused on moral and spiritual aspects underlying international law. He said that conscience and faith are key elements for justice: “He underscored the role of conscience and faith as foundational elements in the pursuit of justice, tracing their roots to biblical teachings and their influence on human rights frameworks.” Shchurko warned against moral relativism and called for renewed commitment to ethical standards across cultures.
Professor Herbert Reginbogin, Collegiate Fellow of Law at The Catholic University of America and Professor at Istanbul Kent University, analyzed difficulties in enforcing accountability due to power imbalances worldwide. He said civil society participation, education, and individual responsibility are crucial for maintaining rule of law.
Susanna Frederick Fischer from The Catholic University of America moderated this discussion. This was part three in a series leading up to an international conference titled “International Criminal Law Eighty Years Later: The Crossroads of Law, Ethics, Religion and International Law,” scheduled for April 12-13, 2027 at The Catholic University of America. Organizers say these events help students and faculty examine issues such as recent conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza along with American interventions abroad while encouraging critical dialogue about global justice.
