On November 29, 2025, Sarah Teich, HRAG co-founder and president, presented at the 5th Tigray Genocide Commemoration, an online event organized by a coalition of Tigrayan civil society organizations. The webinar focused on the pursuit of justice amid insecurity and political uncertainty.
Teich’s presentation provided an overview of international legal mechanisms available for addressing atrocity crimes, with particular focus on how affected communities can pursue accountability. She explained how the International Court of Justice can adjudicate disputes under the Genocide Convention, emphasizing that states may be held responsible not only for committing genocide, but also for failing to prevent or punish it.
Addressing the limitations of the International Criminal Court in this context, Teich also outlined universal jurisdiction as an alternative pathway, providing practical guidance on how civil society can support potential prosecutions through evidence collection, community mobilization, and engagement with domestic prosecutors. She also discussed the role of UN human rights mechanisms in building a credible record for future legal action through sustained documentation and reporting.
In their letter of appreciation, the organizing committee—comprising Gender Empowerment Movement Tigray (GEMTigray), Irob Anina Civil Society, Solidarity of Tigrayans for Independence and Liberty (STIL), Tigrai Hiking Society, Tigray Public Media, Tsilal Civil Society of Western Tigray, and Yikhono Movement Against Gender-Based Violence—noted that Teich’s presentation “not only clarified vital legal options but also empowered the community with practical strategies to pursue justice and accountability.”
