← Back to overview Language: NL EN

We must hold to account those who commit atrocities, because if we don’t, we are complicit in their crimes.

Amal Clooney

Interview with CNN, 2017 · Checked on 10 June 2026
We must hold to account those who commit atrocities, because if we don’t, we are complicit in their crimes.

Analysis

The statement reflects the legal and moral obligation to prosecute perpetrators of atrocities, as established by international law (e.g., Rome Statute, Geneva Conventions). Complicity through inaction is a recognized concept in human rights discourse, though the exact legal implications vary by jurisdiction. Clooney, a human rights lawyer, has consistently advocated for accountability in cases like ISIS crimes and the Yazidi genocide.

Background

Amal Clooney is a prominent human rights attorney who has worked on high-profile cases involving war crimes and genocide. Her statement echoes the principles of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other bodies that seek to end impunity for mass atrocities. The idea of complicity through silence or inaction is a recurring theme in human rights advocacy.

Verdict summary

Amal Clooney's statement aligns with widely accepted principles of international justice and accountability.

Sources consulted

— Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998)
— CNN Interview with Amal Clooney (2017)
— Amal Clooney's legal work on Yazidi genocide cases (e.g., UN reports, 2016-2017)