Breakfast Briefing – Expert Roundtable

iCourts Breakfast Briefing

The Recent Criminalisation of War Crimes, Torture, Crimes against Humanity and Aggression in Denmark

Abstract

In December 2024, the Danish parliament adopted comprehensive legislation to criminalise war crimes, torture, crimes against humanity, and aggression. The aim was to align Denmark’s legal framework with international standards and ensure that perpetrators of these serious crimes can be prosecuted and punished within Danish courts. Previously, Denmark’s Penal Code did not specifically address these international crimes, relying instead on general provisions for crimes such as murder, assault, and rape.

However, with the increasing number of conflicts worldwide and the potential for war criminals to seek refuge in Denmark, the government recognised the need for more specific legislation. The new legislation, in force since January 2025, introduces an entirely new chapter in the Danish Penal Code dedicated to international crimes. This chapter covers war crimes, torture, crimes against humanity, and aggression, allowing Danish courts to prosecute individuals for these offenses regardless of where they were committed. 

About the Speakers

Unlike other breakfast briefings, this event will have the format of a roundtable with several short presentations. Some of the panellists were members of the expert committee that drafted proposals on how to criminalise those international crimes in Danish law. At the event, the panellists will be speaking in their personal capacity and their views do not necessarily represent the position of their respective institutions.

  • Anne Østrup (Danish Military Prosecution Service)
  • Christian Ejby Strøm Karstensen (Danish Ministry of Defence)
  • Elna Søndergaard (DIGNITY – Danish Institute against Torture)
  • Peter Vedel Kessing (Danish Institute for Human Rights & UN Committee against Torture)

Click here to register for the event. You will receive the Zoom link when you have registered.

See a list of all the Breakfast Briefings for Spring 2025.