M. Cherif Bassiouni Closed Now

M. Cherif Bassiouni (1937–2017) was an Egyptian-born jurist, scholar, and human rights advocate widely known as the “Father of International Criminal Law.” His extraordinary career combined scholarship, diplomacy, and institution-building, shaping the international legal frameworks that underpin modern transitional justice and accountability for atrocity crimes.

Born in Cairo, Bassiouni later moved to the United States, where he became a distinguished professor of law at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, a position he held for over 50 years. His lifelong mission was to ensure that victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide would not be forgotten.

Bassiouni was a key architect in the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). He served as Chairman of the Drafting Committee during the 1998 Rome Conference, where the Rome Statute — the ICC’s founding treaty — was adopted. His tireless advocacy and detailed legal expertise helped transform decades of theoretical discussion into an operational institution of global justice.

Throughout his career, Bassiouni led or participated in numerous United Nations commissions of inquiry, including those investigating human rights violations in Afghanistan, Libya, and the former Yugoslavia. He also served as Vice-Chairman of the UN General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court. His findings and recommendations were often pivotal in the international community’s response to mass atrocities.

In addition to his diplomatic and institutional roles, Bassiouni authored more than 30 books and 270 articles, many of which remain authoritative in the fields of international humanitarian law, human rights law, and transitional justice. His seminal works include Crimes Against Humanity in International Criminal Law and The Legislative History of the International Criminal Court.

Recognized globally, he received numerous awards and 17 honorary degrees for his service to humanity and law. Bassiouni’s vision of a world where impunity is replaced by justice continues to inspire jurists, policymakers, and activists worldwide.