Renowned human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson KC says the killing of two people who survived a US strike on a speed boat off the coast of Venezuela on 2nd September 2025, constitutes a war crime, as does the initial strike on the boat. In his new book, Robertson says we need a clearer definition of war crimes and genocide to inform military rules of engagement and to give journalists and diplomats the confidence to describe crimes. He also argues the UN Security Council is ineffective and we need a new global method to effectively prevent and prosecute perpetrators.  Guest: Geoffrey Robertson KC, Founder of Doughty St Chambers and author of World of War Crimes, published by Penguin. Producer: Catherine Zengerer

Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

ABC

Geoffrey Robertson on the world's failures to prosecute war crimes

DEC 3, 202529 MIN
Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

Geoffrey Robertson on the world's failures to prosecute war crimes

DEC 3, 202529 MIN

Description

<p>Renowned human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson KC says the killing of two people who survived a US strike on a speed boat off the coast of Venezuela on 2nd September 2025, constitutes a war crime, as does the initial strike on the boat. In his new book, Robertson says we need a clearer definition of war crimes and genocide to inform military rules of engagement and to give journalists and diplomats the confidence to describe crimes. He also argues the UN Security Council is ineffective and we need a new global method to effectively prevent and prosecute perpetrators. </p><ul><li>Guest: Geoffrey Robertson KC, Founder of Doughty St Chambers and author of <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/world-of-war-crimes-9781761621598">World of War Crimes</a>, published by Penguin.</li><li>Producer: Catherine Zengerer</li></ul>