The Humanitarian Law Center (HLC) invites students and young professionals to apply for a seminar dedicated to researching war crimes and other serious human rights violations committed during the wars of the 1990s in the former Yugoslavia.
The seminar will take place from 24 to 27 September 2026 in Belgrade.
The program is intended for young people who wish to gain a better understanding of war crimes and other mass human rights violations, as well as to learn how to research, document, and discuss these issues responsibly and based on facts.
During the four-day seminar, 10 participants will have the opportunity to:
- gain basic knowledge about war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and other mass human rights violations committed during the wars of the 1990s;
- learn about fact-finding and war crimes research processes;
- learn how to use different sources in research, including court records, archival materials, testimonies, and other publicly available sources;
- become familiar with methodologies for researching and documenting war crimes;
- engage with professionals with experience working before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and domestic courts;
- discuss ethical principles and the responsible use of archival materials and other sensitive sources;
- develop skills in critically assessing sources, fact-checking, and approaching war crimes-related issues in an informed and evidence-based manner.
Following the seminar, HLC may offer selected participants the opportunity to continue their engagement through an internship and practical research work, depending on their interests and the needs of the organization. This will provide selected participants with an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during the seminar to concrete research and to become familiar with the professional standards of an organization that has been documenting war crimes and advocating for victims’ rights for more than three decades.
The call is intended for:
- students, particularly those studying social sciences;
- young professionals at the beginning of their careers;
- recent graduates in law, history, political science, journalism, and related fields.
Previous experience in war crimes research is not required. What matters is an interest in human rights, dealing with the past, and fact-finding, as well as a willingness to actively participate in the program.
We particularly encourage applications from young people who wish to develop their research, analytical, and documentation skills and explore opportunities for professional engagement in the fields of human rights, research, and dealing with the past.
HLC will cover the costs of organizing the program and meals during the seminar, as well as travel and accommodation costs for participants coming from outside Belgrade.
Applicants should submit:
- a short CV;
- a brief overview of one war crimes case that particularly interests you (up to 500 words), including an explanation of why you chose that particular case.
Applications should be sent to [email protected] by 13 September, with the subject line: Application for the Seminar – War Crimes: Research, Facts and Accountability.
Only candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.
This program is implemented with the financial support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
