JUSTICE IN WAR: Accountability for Battlefield Misconduct

April 8, 2022
The University of Virginia School of Law
​Room: Brown 152

**Open to Public -- No Registration Required**

Participate via Zoom at this link (WAITING ROOM NOW OPEN)
New York Times reports on civilian casualties from U.S. airstrikes show apparent gross negligence and other malfeasance by U.S. service members during the last several years of war. Yet the likelihood that anyone in uniform will be held responsible for such killings seems low. This accountability deficit sits uneasily with the historic recognition that a sanctions regime for law of war violations has long been recognized as integral to compliance. Domestic politics, as well as internal military processes and culture, play a role in weakening avowed adherence to international law.
 
U.S. commitment to war crimes accountability for its own personnel is vital for both the effectiveness of the law of war, and for national legitimacy. When the U.S. condemns Russia for its on-going campaign of war crimes in Ukraine, it should be able to point to its own strong record of compliance, a record which should include appropriate, consistent consequences for non-compliance.
 
To explore such issues, the National Institute of Military Justice is hosting a one-day, in-person conference on Friday, April 8th at the University of Virginia School of Law. This event, dedicated to U.S. accountability for battlefield misconduct, is co-sponsored by the Law School’s National Security Law Forum as well as UVA Law Vets.

Since major combat operations have wound down for U.S. forces for the time being, there is now room for clear-eyed reflection regarding how, and why, the United States holds its own personnel to account for crimes committed while engaged in combat on the nation’s behalf. Please come join us on April 8th to take part in this reflection.
Schedule
10:00AM: Opening Remarks - Prof. Rachel VanLandingham, President, NIMJ

10:15AM-11:15AM: Panel One - Substantive Criminal Law
11:30AM-12:30PM: Panel Two - Foreign Relations
12:30PM-1:15PM: Lunch

1:15PM-2:15PM: Keynote Address - The Other My Lai Cases
2:15PM-3:15PM: Panel Three - Case Study in Domestic Politics
3:15PM-4:15PM: War Torts & Other Alternatives