Claudio Visco

In a wide-ranging interview with Claudio Visco, president of the International Bar Association (IBA), The Justice Edit examines the principle of proportionality under international humanitarian law, accountability for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the future of international justice, the International Criminal Court, democratic resilience and the governance of artificial intelligence.

Reflecting on Israel’s military response following the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023, Mr Visco discusses the principle of proportionality and offers his personal assessment of events.

“In our statement, which we issued immediately after the events, we clearly stressed that we accepted proportionality in the reaction. If you ask me has that proportionality occurred, and this is my personal view – it is Claudio Visco speaking, not the IBA, I am personally convinced it did not.”

The interview also explores whether differing international responses to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza risk undermining confidence in international legal institutions and asks whether international law can retain its authority if it is perceived to be applied inconsistently.

Mr Visco explains why the International Bar Association has supported efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression in relation to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while also reflecting on mounting political pressure facing international legal institutions, including the International Criminal Court and major law firms involved in high-profile international cases.

Despite these challenges, he expresses confidence in the resilience of democratic institutions and the enduring strength of the rule of law.

“The rule of law is so much part of the culture of a country, like the United States, that we know that the democracy will be able to regain the position that it should have.”