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Democratization and digitalization of ICJ. Digital documentation of ICL violations and the participatory turn

Project description

Civil society’s role in international criminal justice in the digital age

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) focus on dynamic complementarity emphasises the need for enhanced domestic engagement, as universal jurisdiction draws growing attention in the wake of mass atrocities around the world. Civil society organisations (CSOs) connect authorities with survivors and address gender-based violence and ecocide. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the DIGDEM project will examine the roles of digitalisation and democratisation in international criminal justice (ICJ). It will focus on the challenges faced by often-unprepared domestic jurisdictions and aim to enhance the integration of CSOs within the ICJ framework. The project will strengthen cooperation between CSOs and authorities, improve guidelines for less experienced jurisdictions, and assess the impact of digitalisation on CSOs.

Objective

The DIG&DEM project addresses the growing field of digitalization and democratization in international criminal justice (ICJ), responding to the need for critical research in this evolving landscape. The ICC’s 2024 dynamic complementarity underscores the urgency for stronger domestic engagement, especially as universal jurisdiction gains renewed focus after Russia's aggression against Ukraine. This research targets the challenges within ICJ, where often unprepared domestic jurisdictions remain ineffective. Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in bridging authorities with survivors and spotlighting issues like gender-based violence and ecocide.
The project aims to integrate CSOs more effectively into the ICJ ecosystem. First, it develops cooperation methods between CSOs and authorities, enhancing guidelines for less experienced jurisdictions. Second, it examines digitalization's impact on CSOs' roles, identifying best practices and mitigating risks. This research offers new theoretical insights and practical guidelines to strengthen CSOs' roles in the increasingly digitalized and complex ICJ landscape.

This project will take place at Swansea University, United Kingdom (under the supervision of prof. Yvonne McDermott Rees) with secondment at the UC Berkeley Human Rights Center, United States (under the supervision of prof. Alexa Koenig). The knowledge transfer between Dr. Kaja Kowalczewska and world-leading universities in digital evidence and open-source investigations will equip her with expertise at the intersection of law, technology, and gender in ICJ processes. Paired with strategic leadership and advocacy skills, this will enable her to secure a tenured academic position in Poland, consult on ICL reform, and work as a criminal lawyer. Additionally, she will serve as a trainer and campaigner in the CSO sector, directly contributing to closing the accountability gap and strengthening justice mechanisms in the EU.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 276 187,92
Address
SINGLETON PARK
SA2 8PP Swansea
United Kingdom

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Region
Wales West Wales and The Valleys Swansea
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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