In 2017, the Prosecution of the International Criminal Court (ICC), filed a request to open an investigation into alleged crimes in and related to the armed conflict in Afghanistan, including those of U.S. officials through the Bush-era torture program. In April 2019, the Pre-Trial Chamber rejected the request. That decision followed a sustained campaign by the Trump administration against the ICC, including the administration revoking the visa of the ICC Prosecutor, threatening the visas of other ICC staff members, and promising economic sanctions. The Center for Constitutional Rights, which serves as legal representative for two men who remain detained at Guantanamo - Guled Hassan Duran and Sharqawi Al Hajj - in the proceedings, joined other victims of the US torture program, crimes by the Taliban and crimes by Afghan forces, as well as the Prosecutor in appealing that decision. The Appeals Chamber has set a hearing for December 4-6, 2019 in The Hague. The panel will feature a discussion among legal representatives for victims and experts who filed amicus briefs in the proceedings on why this case is before the ICC, what are the key legal issues before the Court, and whether U.S. officials might be held accountable at the International Criminal Court.

Panel also features: Katherine Gallagher, and Jennifer Trahan; moderated by Nikki Reisch.