Michael Scharf: Establishing the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

Lawyering Peace

In this episode, Dr. Paul R. Williams speaks with Michael Scharf, a drafter of the Statute that created the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Initially intended by the international legal community as a symbolic gesture, the tribunal became a powerful instrument of justice under a prosecutor whose unwavering commitment to justice over political convenience challenged the status quo of international practices. We explore how this commitment to justice impacted the Balkans peace processes, the role of international tribunals in balancing peace and accountability, and the legacy of the ICTY in shaping future tribunals and the International Criminal Court. Tune in for insights into how justice challenges peace negotiators today.