It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Benjamin Ferencz, a remarkable human being who dedicated his life to fighting for justice and peace. As the last surviving prosecutor of the Nuremberg Trials, Ferencz played a crucial role in bringing some of the most notorious war criminals of the 20th century to justice.
Throughout his long and illustrious career, Ferencz remained a tireless advocate for the rule of law and a champion of human rights. He believed that war is not inevitable and that justice is possible, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Ferencz’s legacy is a testament to the power of one person’s unwavering commitment to justice and humanity. His passion, intellect, and compassion inspired countless others to follow in his footsteps and work towards a better world. Ben’s biography, achievements, and many inspiring moments can be found here.
Ben Ferencz was a friend and supporter of the IBA ICCMCC for 10 years. The Planethood Foundation not only sponsored the Competition for 5 years, but the hero of ICL himself opened the IBA ICCMCC two years in a row. The first time we welcomed Ben in person was in 2017 when he inspired with his words over 400 participating students and 200 legal professionals. In 2018, he returned to The Hague to not only inaugurate the ‘Law not War’ bench donated to the City of The Hague, but also to officially open the IBA ICCMCC. During the Opening Ceremony, we had the immense privilege to show in world premiere the biographical film ‘Prosecuting Evil‘ directed by Barry Averich. When no longer able to travel at the age of 100, Ben sat down with Michael Scharf, Chair of the IBA ICCMCC board of advisors to tape a six-minute conversation about uttering Genocide for the first time in history in a courtroom for the 2020 edition of the IBA ICCMCC.
His motto’s ‘Never Give Up’ and ‘Law not war’ will forever guide our mission to train the future generations of international criminal law lawyers!
We extend our deepest condolences to Ferencz’s family, friends, and colleagues. We will honor his memory by continuing the important work he started and ensuring that his legacy lives on for generations to come. Rest in peace, Benjamin Ferencz.
