Roger Clark: International Criminal Law and Human Rights Accountability

In this first episode of 2026, Human Rights: Conversations Across Generations, we welcome Professor Roger Clark, one of the world’s leading figures in international criminal law and human rights. Over a distinguished career that included more than four decades teaching at Rutgers University Law School, Professor Clark educated generations of lawyers while contributing directly to the development of international legal institutions. His work has shaped how the global community understands crimes against humanity, accountability, and the role of mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court in pursuing justice. Recorded about a year ago, this conversation remains strikingly timely. Professor Clark reflects on the evolution of international criminal law, the promise and limitations of the ICC, nuclear weapons and environmental justice, student protest movements past and present, and the growing challenges facing the international human rights system. The episode also captures a deeply personal dimension. To date, Roger Clark and Bert Lockwood have celebrated fifty-four years of friendship, a relationship that has grown alongside the evolution of modern international human rights law. Their shared history offers a rare window into the people, ideas, and institutions that have shaped the field over the last half-century. Show Notes Episode Transcript A full PDF transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.fireonthebluff.com/sites/fireonthebluff.com/files/HRP_Roger_Clark_Episode_final.pdf People Referenced Theo van Boven Dutch human rights pioneer and former UN Special Rapporteur, instrumental in advancing international accountability for gross human rights violations. Mohamed ElBaradei Former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his work on nuclear nonproliferation. Toine van Dongen Dutch diplomat and international legal scholar with long-standing contributions to international law and human rights. Related Publications Cees Flinterman: Publications Changing Perceptions of Sovereignty and Human Rights Liber Amicorum, co-edited scholarly volume. Innovation and Inspiration: Fifty Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Co-edited scholarly volume examining the evolution and impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Places Recommended Soeboer Indonesian Restaurant, The Hague https://www.soeboer.nl/ Contact If you have suggestions for future guests or topics, we would love to hear from you. Email: www.meredithlockwood.com