Announcements: Evidence Matters Conference; ISIL Review Conference; BIICL Training Programme; CfP Max Planck Yearbook of UN Law; CfA UN Research Colloquium; CfP Mass Atrocities, Environmental Degradation & Communities’ Rights; UN Audiovisual Library of International Law; CfP Tackling Human Rights, Environmental Protection & Business; CfA U.S. & International Law in Changing Times Conference; CfP Polish Review of International and European Law

1. International Conference: Evidence Matters Before Regional Human Rights Courts – The African Court in Critical and Comparative Perspective. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, this Conference investigates a key but understudied element of international human rights judicial proceedings – evidence. How is the factual basis of a human rights claim (to be) evidenced? Which party benefits when facts remain uncertain? Can the evidentiary inequality of arms between the parties be redressed? Is the purpose of evidence to find the truth – and if so, which truth? Although the Conference focuses on the African Court, we are also interested in studies which address the broader sphere of international human rights adjudication (including AComHPR, ECtHR, IACtHR and UN Treaty Bodies). The call for papers can be found here and the deadline for abstract submission is 30 September 2025. 11 – 13 May 2026, Pretoria, SA.

2. Fifteen Years of Review Conference: The Office of the Ombudsperson to the UN Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. On 9 September (18:00 CEST), the Asser Institute, in collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsperson, will host a free webinar to reflect on 15 years of the mandate of the Office, counter-terrorism sanctions, delisting processes, and human rights law. Speakers will include the current Ombudsperson, Mr Richard Malanjum, the first Ombudsperson, Judge Kimberly Prost, as well as Mr Peter Robinson, Dr. Bibi van Ginkel, and Professor Devika Hovell. Register for the event here.

3. BIICL Training Programme: Autumn 2025. The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) is continuing to accept registrations for its autumn 2025 programme of training. Courses include: public international law in practice, climate change litigation, cultural heritage law, energy law, business and human rights, law of the sea, and artificial intelligence governance. These courses are led by BIICL’s team in collaboration with external partners, combining academic expertise with practical insight. Discounts are offered for group bookings and BIICL individual members. Scholarships are also available for individuals and NGOs, subject to terms and conditions. Further details are available on the BIICL website.

4. Call for Papers: Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law – Special Forum on ‘Rethinking the Notion of “Territory” in International Law’. The Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law (UNYB) is inviting interested authors to submit abstract proposals in pursuance of an open call for papers for the forthcoming volume which will feature a special thematic forum on the concept of territory under international law. Territory has long been a cornerstone of international law— defining the scope of core concepts like statehood, sovereignty, and jurisdiction. Yet, the classical idea of ‘territory’ as a stable, physical space is increasingly under strain due to contemporary global challenges. Does international law’s understanding of territory remain fit for purpose in responding to the complex realities of the twenty-first century? In an effort to address this question and other related topics, the UNYB is inviting contributors to critically assess and rethink the notion of ‘territory’ as it is understood in international law. The deadline for receipt of abstract proposals is 15 August 2025. The full call for papers and submission guidelines can be found here. Queries should be sent to Sai Venkatesh, Managing Editor at unyb {at} mpfpr(.)de.

5. Call for Abstracts: 14th UN Research Colloquium. This years’ interdisciplinary United Nations research colloquium will be taking place in Cologne, organized by the United Nations Association of Germany and the Institute for International Peace and Security Law. Its main theme will be “The United Nations and Peacekeeping”. More information and suggested topics can be found here. Send abstracts via this form. Deadline for abstracts is 24 August 2025. Contact for further information: info {at} uno-forschung(.)de.

6. Call for Proposals: Mass Atrocities, Environmental Degradation, and Communities’ Rights Conference. The University of Dundee Just Transition Hub, University of Stirling, & The Congress of Nations and States are inviting proposals for the upcoming conference/assembly in May 2026 titled, “Mass Atrocities, Environmental Degradation, and Communities’ Rights” The CFP and more information can be found here.

7. New Additions to the UN Audiovisual Library of International Law. The Codification Division of the Office of Legal Affairs recently added the following materials to the United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law: Two lectures in English and French on “The Rights of the Suspect and Accused under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court”, by Mr. Xavier-Jean Keïta, Former Principal Counsel for the Office of Public Counsel for the Defense at the International Criminal Court; and an Interview in English with Mr. Marcin Czepelak, Secretary General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, by Ms. Yiwei Lu, on “The Permanent Court of Arbitration’s Contribution to International Law”. The Audiovisual Library of International Law is also available as an audio podcast on Apple and SoundCloud.

8. Call for Papers: Tackling Human Rights, Environmental Protection and Business – A Multilevel Approach. Jean Monnet Saar and the Völkerrechtsblog are inviting interested persons to contribute articles in English or German to their online-symposium “Tackling Human Rights, Environmental Protection and Business – A Multilevel Approach”. Deadline: Friday 3rd October Length: max. 1,500 words. For more information, see here.

9. Call for Abstracts: The U.S. and International Law in Changing Times Conference. The SLS International Law section and Solon Solomon (BUL), together with Saeed Bagheri (University of Reading), are organising in central London and at BUL a two-day international conference ‘The U.S. and International Law in changing times’. 5 -6 November 2025. Jose Alvarez, Oona Hathaway, and Gerry Simpson will deliver the main speeches. Abstracts for the Conference panels are invited. The panels are built around the themes of geopolitics, international security, trade issues, human rights, international organisations, science, and technology. Abstracts of approximately 500 words can be submitted by 20 September to both Solon Solomon and Saeed Bagheri at solon.solomon {at} brunel.ac(.)uk and saeed.bagheri {at} reading.ac(.)uk. Apart from law, they highly encourage abstracts from academics and practitioners in related fields, such as political science and international relations, as well as abstracts by groups that are generally underrepresented, such as women, people from the Global South, PhD and postdoctoral students, and early-career researchers up to three years after achieving tenure. 

10. Call for Papers: Polish Review of International and European Law. The Polish Review of International and European Law is inviting submissions for an issue on the advisory proceedings before the International Court of Justice.  In recent years, the growing importance of the advisory opinions issued by the International Court of Justice has been particularly noticeable. As a result, the growing  practice suggests the need to evaluate the use, procedure and effects of the advisory proceedings of International Court of Justice. They invite abstracts of the manuscript (max. 400 words) to be submitted to k.maslo {at} uksw.edu(.)pl no later than 20 August 2025, with the following information included: author name(s) and affiliation(s).  Submission of full paper will be October 2025.