On September 11, Professor Milena Sterio presented her research at the European Society of International Law Conference in Berlin, Germany. Her paper, “The Role of International, Regional, and Domestic Courts in Transitions Toward Democracy,” was selected through a highly competitive call-for-papers process.

In her work, Professor Sterio examines how courts can play an essential role in supporting peace and democracy when traditional global security mechanisms falter. She argues that the United Nations Security Council—long the cornerstone of international peace and security since 1945—has become increasingly paralyzed. In this context, judicial bodies at the international, regional, and domestic levels may step in to fill the void.

When courts determine that a state has violated international law, or that a leader bears responsibility for atrocity crimes, they not only advance transitional justice but may also help restore peace and security within affected regions. Professor Sterio’s scholarship highlights the evolving role of courts in shaping pathways toward democracy in times of crisis.