The system of international criminal justice was established in response to gross human rights violations committed during World War II. Despite its development over the past seven decades, challenges and critiques remain unresolved or have subsequently emerged, particularly in the context of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Key issues include amnesties, immunities, controversial acquittals, non-cooperation, interpretative fragmentation, and cultural clashes. Criticism emerged as a reaction to the perception of impunity and the system’s underachievement. It is important to reflect on the extent to which such challenges are inherent to the system and whether they can be overcome. What is the state of international criminal justice today? What impact have these challenges had on the system’s integrity, currency, and credibility? To what extent can we prevent or remedy them?

This volume brings together major contributions to the 8th AIDP Symposium for Young Penalists which was organised by the AIDP Young Penalists Committee and convened on 10 and 11 June 2021 in telematic mode, hosted by the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University.

Renata Barbosa is Researcher and lecturer at Maastricht University,The Netherlands, and member of the AIDP Young Penalists Committee.

Francesco Mazzacuva is Researcher in Criminal Law at the University of Parma, Italy, and President of the AIDP Young Penalists Committee.

Megumi Ochi is Associate Professor at the College of International Relations and the Graduate School of International Relations of Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan, and member of the AIDP Young Penalists Committee.