From the leader of the “free world” to the leader of a worldwide faith, each person must be subject to the rule of law. Where national legal systems are unable or unwilling to hold perpetrators of crimes against humanity accountable for their actions, the International Criminal Court and the principle of universal jurisdiction become key tools in the fight for accountability.

 

The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) is dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Vince Warren, Executive Director, will address the importance of accountability at the international level. This will include insight into CCR efforts to hold former President George W. Bush and members of his administration accountable for torture, an act in violation of both the U.S. Constitution and the UDHR, and the complaint filed at the ICC against 4 high-level Vatican officials, including Pope Benedict XVI, for the systematic and widespread cover up of rape and sexual violence by priests around the globe.