How to Define Crimes Against Democracy

The "Defining Crimes Against Democracy" panel delved into the multifaceted threats facing democratic systems worldwide and explored possible legal, political, and cultural responses to these challenges. The panel featured: Geoffrey Robertson KC, Founding Head of Doughty Street Chambers; Reed Brody, Human rights lawyer, known as the "Dictator Hunter”; Moncef Marzouki, 5th President of Tunisia (2011 - 2014); Stephen Rapp, US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes (2009 to 2015); Hope Rikkelman, Director of The Nuhanovic Foundation and Yazidi Legal Network; Fernando Travesí, Executive Director of the International Center for Transitional Justice; Richard Goldstone, Chair of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, Prosecutor of War Crimes in Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

The discussion opened with a recognition that while democracy is often thought of as resilient, it is, in reality, fragile and susceptible to internal and external threats. Panelists debated the various ways democracy can be undermined, not only through traditional means like coups but also through legal manipulation, disinformation, voter suppression, and the erosion of democratic norms. There was debate over whether external interventions, such as diplomatic pressure, sanctions, or even legal action, are effective or whether they risk being perceived as interference. Some speakers called for democratic states to take a firmer stance against governments engaging in democratic backsliding, while others warned of the unintended consequences of punitive measures, particularly in fragile states. The discussion concluded with a call to action, urging democratic governments, international organizations, and civil society to proactively defend democratic values.

How to End Extreme Poverty by 2030

The panel on "How to End Extreme Poverty by 2030" brought together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss the challenges and strategies necessary to achieve the ambitious global goal of eradicating extreme poverty within the next decade. The panel included Mousa Ahmed Agha, President of Barzani Charity Foundation; Udo Jude Ilo, Chief Executive Officer of the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, Clint Borgen; Founder and CEO of The Borgen Project; Heidi Kühn, Founder of ‘Roots of Peace’ and 2023 World Food Prize laureate. 

The discussion explored the root causes of poverty, including systemic inequalities, weak governance, conflict, and climate change. Panelists debated the effectiveness of different policy interventions, the role of international financial institutions, and the need for a people-centred approach that empowers communities rather than imposing top-down solutions. Throughout the discussion, panelists debated the effectiveness of international aid versus locally-driven solutions, the role of technology in expanding access to financial services and education, and the critical need for collaborative efforts across governments, businesses, and nonprofits. The conversation underscored that while progress has been made, achieving the goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030 will require an extreme strategic and unified global response.

The Role of Dissidents

The panel “Role of Dissidents” discussed the potential post-Putin landscape in Russia, emphasizing the need for a roadmap to ensure a democratic transition. It featured Vladimir Kara-Murza, potential ‘Russian President in-exile’, and human rights advocate; Omar Alshogre, human rights activist and director of Detainee Affairs at the Syrian Emergency Task Force; Lyubov Sobol, Russian opposition politician; Gennady Gudkov, Russian opposition politician; Marina Ovsiannikova; Russian journalist and television producer; Lisa Samoilova, member of Pussy Riot; Marianna Yarovskaya, Russian-American documentary producer; Lucy Shtein, member of Pussy Riot; and Terry Martin, international journalist. 

The panel discussed lessons from past and present resistance to authoritarianism, highlighting the Soviet dissidents' constitutional focus as a model for modern activism. They praised the resilience of Syrian political prisoners and stressed the self-reliance needed for freedom. Russian emigrants, though facing challenges in Europe, were seen as adaptable and key to future civil society. A unified strategy is needed to counter Putin’s regime, including empowering exiles, using art and storytelling to reach Russians, and tackling Kremlin propaganda. The panel also criticised Western hypocrisy in enabling Putin, called for accountability for state crimes, emphasised the importance of bridging the divide between exiles and those in Russia, and warned of growing transnational repression globally.

The Language of Demagogues: Ethical and Legal Borderlines

The discussion on :The Language of Demagogues: ethical and legal borderlines” explored how rhetoric can erode democratic values, with Deborah Lipstadt, historian and diplomat, and former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism; Yaël Eisenstadt, Director of Policy and Impact at Cybersecurity for Democracy; Graeme Reid, UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; and Terry Martin, International journalist and moderator. The discussion addressed the challenges surrounding freedom of speech, social media, and the rise of extremism, with particular attention given to how these issues intersect with politics, language, and AI.

Dr. Deborah Lipstadt highlighted historical parallels between Nazi dehumanization and modern rhetoric, emphasizing the dangers of incitement. Panelists highlighted the growing influence of social media platforms in amplifying extreme rhetoric, pointing out that political leaders, including those in Western democracies, often use these platforms to disseminate divisive and inflammatory language. Graeme Reid discussed the impact of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in restricting public expression and advocacy. The panel emphasized the need for legal and ethical boundaries to combat hate speech, while also acknowledging the challenges of balancing free speech with the prevention of incitement to violence. The conversation emphasized that while the methods of spreading harmful rhetoric have evolved, the fundamental strategies of demagogues remain consistent: create an "other", spread fear, and systematically dehumanize targeted groups.

The Crime of Aggression: How to Hold Heads of State Accountable for Oppression, War and Mass Killings?

This panel discussion on “The Crime of Aggression: How to Hold Heads of State Accountable for Oppression, War and Mass Killings?” examined the crime of aggression in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the broader challenge of ensuring accountability under international law. The discussion featured: Geoffrey Robertson KC, Founding Head of Doughty Street Chambers; Oleksandra Matviichuk, Human rights lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; David Crane, Founding Chief Prosecutor UN Special Court of Sierra Leone; Richard Goldstone, Chair of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, Prosecutor of War Crimes in Yugoslavia and Rwanda; Herta Däubler-Gmelin, former Federal Minister of Justice of Germany; David Akerson, Attorney and prosecutor, served as Senior Consultant to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon; Anya Neistat, Legal Director of The Docket Initiative at the Clooney Foundation for Justice; Stephen Rapp, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes (2009 to 2015).

The panelists underscored that, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for war crimes, it currently lacks jurisdiction to prosecute the crime of aggression in Ukraine’s case. Several panelists highlighted the need for new mechanisms, such as trials in absentia, the creation of a special tribunal, or amendments to the ICC statute, to address this legal gap. Other participants, including Richard Goldstone and David Crane, emphasized that aggression is a leadership crime and that pursuing Putin’s accountability could reshape global norms, sending a strong message to authoritarian regimes. The panel discussed the political and legal barriers to prosecution, such as head of state immunity and geopolitical hesitation, particularly from the U.S. The consensus was clear: accountability for aggression is both a legal necessity and a political imperative to uphold international order.

Moving Towards Climate Justice - Change-makers and Innovators

This panel discussion, titled "Moving Towards Climate Justice," features a diverse group of panelists including Kaisu Mustonen, co-founder of the Snowchange Cooperative; Felix Finkbeiner, founder of Plant-for-the-Planet; Lili Fuhr, Director of the Fossil Economy Program at the Center for International Environmental Law; Paolo Piffaretti, CEO at ClimeFi;  Toni Vidan, President of European Environmental Bureau; Heidi Kühn, Founder of “Roots of Peace”, 2023 World Food Prize Laureate; Martin Frick, Director of Global office of The World Food Program; and moderated by Rishaad Salamat, Journalist, former news anchor at Bloomberg TV. The discussion encompasses a wide range of perspectives on climate justice, from Indigenous knowledge to technological solutions, and the role of various stakeholders in addressing the climate crisis.

Speakers like Kaisu Mustonen and Martin Frick highlighted the value of traditional ecological practices, peatland restoration, and the disproportionate climate burden on vulnerable populations. Others, including Lili Fuhr and Toni Vidan, critiqued technological "fixes" promoted by the fossil fuel industry, advocating instead for equitable frameworks, just energy transitions, and the true valuation of environmental costs. With some disagreements among panelists, they all agree on one thing: everybody wants to see less carbon.

Political Correctness in Liberal Societies - New Rules for Language, Humour, and Behaviour in the 21st Century

The panel “Political Correctness in Liberal Societies - New Rules for Language, Humour, and Behaviour in the 21st Century” centered on the complex interplay between political correctness, free speech, and evolving social norms in liberal societies. It featured Nadine Strossen, Law Professor, former ACLU President and Senior Fellow at FIRE; Jonathan Turley, Law Professor, American attorney & legal scholar; Nicholas Bruckman, Documentary filmmaker; and Matt Forde, British political satirist and comedian. The panelists explored the delicate balance between promoting inclusivity and protecting freedom of expression, particularly in the context of rising "cancel culture" and the influence of social media.

Panelists unanimously agreed that free speech is an indispensable right, but differed on its practical implementation. The panelists were particularly critical of European speech regulations, with Turley arguing that censorship has a "perfect failure rate" and ultimately silences the wrong people. They stressed that the solution to problematic speech is more speech, not suppression. The key takeaway of this panel was that navigating free speech in the modern digital age requires a nuanced, contextual, and ongoing dialogue that balances the protection of expression with the mitigation of real-world harms, particularly those amplified by social media and "cancel culture." There are no easy answers, and critical thinking is essential.

The Proposed Crime of Ecocide

The panel “The Proposed Crime of Ecocide” at the 2025 World Forum examined ongoing efforts to recognize ecocide as an international crime. Panelists included Jojo Mehtal, co-founder and Executive Director of Stop Ecocide International; Chile Eboe-Osuji, former President of the International Criminal Court (2018–21); David Suzuki, environmental scientist; Luisa Neubauer; climate activist and leader of Fridays for Future Germany; and Rishaad Salamat, journalist and former news anchor.

David Suzuki warned that laws against genocide have primarily functioned as reactive tools rather than preventive measures, and he fears an ecocide law might suffer the same fate. Suzuki criticizes corporate leaders who have long known the environmental consequences of their actions yet continue destructive practices. Chile Eboe-Osuji argued that criminal law must target individuals, not just corporations, holding decision-makers accountable. Jojo Mehta stressed that an ecocide law would be a transformative deterrent, forcing businesses to acknowledge environmental destruction as a crime. She emphasized ecocide law as a tool for accountability, corporate responsibility, and environmental protection. Luisa Neubauer called for strategic action beyond protests, advocating for alliances and legal innovation to drive systemic change. Rishaad Salamat noted the complexity of defining ecocide, questioning where legal responsibility begins. Luisa Neubauer responded by emphasizing that legal shifts require societal and cultural change, pointing to Germany’s Constitutional Court ruling on climate targets as proof that legal precedents shape policy. She argued that legal accountability does not emerge in isolation but must be actively pursued through activism and public engagement.

JoJo Mehta clarified that ecocide laws target the most severe environmental harms, such as the Bhopal disaster, the Texaco Chevron case in Ecuador, and Deepwater Horizon, where negligence led to large-scale destruction. She stressed that criminal law helps shape societal taboos, deterring corporate misconduct before it happens. Neubauer built on this, asserting that top executives who knowingly mislead the public and obstruct climate policy should be held accountable. The panel concluded that while ecocide legislation faces challenges, its rapid rise on the international stage reflects a cultural shift toward recognizing environmental destruction as a grave crime requiring urgent legal action.