Lisbon hosts european event on International Justice and Memory of the Balkan Conflicts

IPS recently hosted the Final National Event of the European NO-OBLIVION initiative in Lisbon, a project dedicated to reflecting on the conflicts of the former Yugoslavia through a victim-centred and legal lens.

The event brought together legal experts, academics, and justice professionals who engaged in discussions on the future of universal jurisdiction, with a particular focus on the crime of aggression and the legacy of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in shaping contemporary international justice.

Among the speakers were Dr. Almiro Rodrigues, former Public Prosecutor and Judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and Professor Miguel Manero de Lemos, lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra and researcher in the fields of criminal and constitutional law.

The final event also served to review the project’s activities and outcomes, and to discuss strategies for sustaining the project’s results beyond its completion.

Resources and initiatives developed by the NO-OBLIVION initiative

Over the course of the project, several resources and awareness-raising initiatives were developed for justice professionals, academics, and the wider public, including:

Case-Law Practical Booklet – A practical reference guide for judges, prosecutors, and lawyers working on international crimes. It provides an in-depth analysis of international and regional court decisions regarding war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and features contributions from jurists, prosecutors, and academics from the University of Sarajevo.
Universal Jurisdiction Guiding Tree – An interactive digital tool that guides legal professionals through the main elements of universal jurisdiction, including key concepts, legal requirements, modes of liability, and examples of practical application.
Memory Lane Journal – An academic publication with 13 articles by European researchers exploring the legal and political lessons of the ICTY, including political accountability and victim reparations.
Digital Art Exhibition “Remembering Through Art” – A digital showcase exploring themes of memory, conflict, and justice through artworks inspired by real testimonies from the former Yugoslav conflicts.
“Reviving Balkan Arts” Festival – Held in Zagreb, this festival focused on the region’s cultural and artistic traditions while promoting reconciliation and intergenerational dialogue through art and memory.

Documentary Directory – An open-access compendium of selected documentaries exploring the complex history, cultural diversity, and turbulent dissolution of the former Yugoslavia.

Co-Creation Labs and Discussion Spaces – A series of in-person and virtual meetings that brought together jurists, academics, and civil society organisations to discuss best practices in applying universal jurisdiction and preventing atrocities.

Beatriz Martins, Consultant and Researcher for the International Judicial Cooperation and Human Rights Portfolio at IPS and an integral part of the partnership, commented on the initiative’s goals and outcomes:

“In NO-OBLIVION, in addition to creating opportunities for reflection, we sought to have a real influence on how professionals view the practical application of universal jurisdiction in Europe. Throughout the project, we brought together magistrates, prosecutors, academics, and professionals from various countries to discuss real cases, share experiences and good practices, and create support tools. The Case-Law Practical Booklet and the Universal Jurisdiction Guiding Tree are clear examples of this ambition: tools designed for those who apply the Law and need concrete answers to international crimes. IPS is proud to have contributed to this bridge between research and judicial practice, and strengthening the role of Portuguese professionals in European cooperation networks on justice and human rights.“

Martins further reflected, “The NO-OBLIVION project also served to remind us that international justice is not exhausted in the courts. It also depends on collective memory and continuous commitment to human rights. This reminder becomes even more necessary at a time when Europe is once again confronting conflicts, forced displacements, and challenges to international accountability. Activities such as the Multigenerational Live Debates, the Art Exhibition, and the Documentary Directory were means of raising public awareness not only regarding the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, but also the importance of memory as a driver for change, so that the errors of the past are not committed again.“

The NO-OBLIVION project demonstrates how collaboration across borders can promote justice, preserve memory, and strengthen the global commitment to accountability for international crimes. IPS is proud to have played a role in this important initiative and looks forward to supporting future efforts that ensure history is remembered and lessons are learned.