Carla Del Ponte Closed Now

Carla Del Ponte (b. 1947) is a Swiss lawyer and former prosecutor internationally known for her uncompromising pursuit of justice in cases of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. As Chief Prosecutor of both the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), she became one of the most visible and influential figures in the development of international criminal justice and transitional justice.

Born in Lugano, Switzerland, Del Ponte studied law in Bern, Geneva, and the United Kingdom before becoming a practicing lawyer. She later entered public service as Switzerland’s Attorney General, where she became known for her relentless investigations into organized crime, money laundering, and terrorism.

In 1999, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Del Ponte as Chief Prosecutor of the ICTY and ICTR. During her tenure, she directed investigations and prosecutions of some of the most notorious figures responsible for mass atrocities in the Balkans and Rwanda. Among her landmark achievements was overseeing the indictment of Slobodan Milošević, the former President of Serbia, marking the first time a sitting head of state was brought before an international tribunal for war crimes.

Del Ponte’s approach was marked by determination and a refusal to compromise, often clashing with governments and political leaders who resisted accountability. She was instrumental in advancing the principle that no one is above the law, reinforcing the legitimacy of international courts as tools of transitional justice.

After leaving the ICTY and ICTR in 2007, Del Ponte continued her international service, including as a member of the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria, where she again pressed for accountability for atrocities. Her memoir, Madame Prosecutor (2009), provides a candid account of her struggles and triumphs in international justice.

Carla Del Ponte’s legacy is that of a fearless prosecutor whose work contributed significantly to building the modern architecture of international criminal law and reinforcing the role of transitional justice in post-conflict societies.