The Brussels-based Forum for International Criminal & Humanitarian Law and the Beijing-based Peking University International Law Institute seek proposals for history-focused papers to be presented at a conference they’re cosponsoring in Asia this time next year. “The Historical Origins of International Criminal Law” is scheduled to take place February 28 and March 1, 2014, in Beijing, China, and New Delhi, India. Organizers, who anticipate publishing the papers in a conference volume, write:

‘What are the main historical origins of international criminal law as a discipline of international law? ….

‘By pursuing focused research and discourse on the history of international criminal law, the organisers aspire to generate new knowledge, broaden the common hinterland to international criminal law, and further consolidate this relatively young discipline of international law. … This project seeks vertical consolidation – an increased awareness and knowledge of the historical and intellectual foundations of international criminal law and its social function – which can strengthen the quality, independence and viability of criminal justice for core international crimes in diverse and rapidly changing social contexts. …’

Tradition extends the history of international criminal law at least as far back as the 1474 capital war-crimes trial of Peter von Hagenbach, depicted above and recently analyzed in an article by North Dakota Law Professor Gregory S. Gordon. (image credit) This history includes many other events, as detailed in the organizers’ sample list of topics.

Experts in law, history, and social science are encouraged to submit papers proposals, in English or Chinese. Full call for papers here. Proposal deadline is May 1, 2013.