The Crimes Against Humanity Initiative fund, created in 2008 with an initial gift of $100,000 from alumna Cash Nickerson, supports the activities of the Crimes Against Humanity Initiative, a multi-year rule of law project directed by Professor Leila Sadat, and carried out by the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute at Washington University School of Law. The Initiative’s activities have proceeded in phases resulting in the promulgation of the world’s first Proposed International Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity, which was finalized in 2010, and published in a book and on the Institute’s website in 2011. The second edition of the book, Forging a Convention for Crimes Against Humanity was published with Cambridge University Press in 2013.
The Initiative is now working with the UN International Law Commission on the formal drafting and adoption of a new treaty by the Commission, and, ultimately, the member states of the United Nations. The Initiative continues to convene expert meetings, in the U.S. and abroad, participate in government sponsored side events and conduct educational and information campaigns worldwide in support of the Convention’s adoption, including the realization and promotion of a documentary film entitled Never Again: Forging a Convention for Crimes Against Humanity. The fund supports the hiring of staff, travel, the convening of meetings, the production of promotional materials and other activities related to the work of the Crimes Against Humanity Initiative and the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute.
