International Law on Trial: Justice in a Divided World

IAMLA Symposium 2026

SOAS University of London

Introduction

International law is on trial. Treaty mechanisms and international organisations are being eroded by state withdrawals — from climate justice to criminal justice, from the arms trade to free trade. Powerful states are calling for global and regional conventions to be revised, whether concerning refugees or human rights. But not only are global norms at risk: international judges, prosecutors, and rapporteurs have been sanctioned while seeking to fulfil their mandates.

Of course, major powers have long violated international law. But they have traditionally invoked the law to justify their actions. This may be changing. States seem increasingly ready to breach international norms, without providing a legal justification. Against this backdrop, we witness the ongoing invasion and occupation of nations, as well as new threats to use force to annex the land and resources of sovereign states.

In the face of these trials, we invite you to join leading lawyers, academics, and journalists at the IAMLA Symposium 2026, as we ask: are these simply the persistent patterns of power politics on the global stage? Or signs that the post-WWII legal order is unravelling? If so, what can be done to safeguard it, and what is the role of international law in ensuring justice in a divided world?

Event details

  • Date: Saturday, 07 February 2026
  • Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (tentative – full programme to follow)
  • Venue: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG, U.K. For travel directions, please see: Google maps link

Programme Outline

The day will be structured around a series of thematic panels addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing international law today, including:

  • Panel 1 – ‘The Accountability Gap and Armed Conflicts: Are International Humanitarian Law and Criminal Law Fit for Purpose?’
  • Panel 2 – ‘Constitutional Discrimination Against Religious Minorities: International Human Rights, National Blasphemy Laws, and the Shrinking Space for Refugee Protection’
  • Panel 3 – ‘Defining the Limits of Free Speech: Legal, Political and Social Dimensions of Freedom of Expression Laws’
  • Panel 4 – ‘Climate Justice and Just Transitions: A Multifaceted Challenge for the International Community’
  • Panel 5 – ‘What is the role of international law in ensuring justice in a divided world?’

Speakers

These discussions will feature leading experts, including:

  • Adama Dieng (Special Envoy of the African Union for the Prevention of Genocide and other Mass Atrocities; former United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide);
  • Victor Kattan (Assistant Professor of Public International Law, University of Nottingham; Associate member, Temple Garden Chambers);
  • Nada Ali (Lecturer at SOAS Law School. Dr Ali is currently writing a book on the politics of international criminal law using Sudan as a paradigmatic case study);
  • Ján Figel (former EU commissioner (2004–2009), deputy prime minister of Slovakia (2010–2012), and EU special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief (2016- 2019));
  • Marco Respinti (Italian journalist, essayist, and lecturer; Director-in-Charge of The Journal of CESNUR and Bitter Winter; Editor-in-Chief of International Family News);
  • Mohamed Elsanousi (Commissioner, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; and Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers);
  • Alison Scott-Baumann (Professor of Society and Belief in the Centre of Islamic Studies in the Near and Middle East Department at SOAS);
  • Peter Oborne (Journalist, broadcaster, and author; former chief political commentator of The Daily Telegraph);
  • James (Jim) Cavallaro (Professor of Law at Wesleyan University and Yale Law School; former Commissioner & President, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights).

Registration

Please register your interest in attending the Symposium by emailing us at [email protected] with your full name, the organisation you represent, and your contact details so we can confirm your attendance. Please note, this event is by invitation only. Attendance is open to those who register in advance, subject to capacity and organiser discretion.

For ease of reference, common attendee queries are addressed below.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is there a fee?
No. Attendance is free, but registration required.
Is capacity limited?
The capacity of the Brunei Lecture Theatre (SOAS) is limited to 280 persons (invitation and admission are subject to capacity and organiser discretion).
When will the programme be available?
A programme summary is set out above. A detailed programme will be published in due course.
Can I attend online?
No. The event is currently planned to be in-person only.
Will meals be provided?
Yes. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

Contact us

  • If you require any further information or assistance, please contact us by:
  • Tel: +44 208 544 7606
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Address: International Ahmadiyya Muslim Lawyer Association
    Tahir House, 22 Deer Park Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 3TL
  • X (formerly Twitter): @AhmadiLawyers