We are taught that good is rewarded and evil is punished. However, reality often looks very different. Today, we see those who defend the human rights of Palestinians facing harsh punishment, while those who support or condone the atrocities in Gaza are shielded and even rewarded.
This contrast made my experience on May 21, 2026, incredibly profound. I was at the University of Tuscia to witness an exception to the rule. The university was awarding honorary doctorate degrees to two great heroes of international law who were actually being rewarded for standing up for what is right.
<Nicolas Guillou and Rosario Salvatore Aitala, former judges of the International Criminal Court, at the University of Tuscia>
In March 2023, as part of the ICC, Judge Aitala issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for illegally deporting Ukrainian children. Similarly, Judge Guillou and two other ICC judges approved arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for war crimes in response to the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
The retaliation was swift and severe. Russia put Judge Aitala on a wanted list and also issued an arrest warrant against him. Furthermore, on 12 December 2025, a Moscow court sentenced him to 15 years in absentia. On the other hand, the United States placed severe sanctions on Judge Guillou. They effectively locked him out of the global banking system. They froze his accounts. He cannot shop online. Worse yet, they barred his family from traveling. He is on the sanction list alongside al-Qaida terrorists, drug cartels and other vile criminals.
These two were attacked because they did their jobs as judges. It is staggering to realize that those trying to stop war crimes are being treated as criminals themselves. This is a direct attack on the rule of law and a brazen abuse of power by global powers. These actions are especially ironic coming from the US – a nation that often prides itself as being the beacon of freedom and democracy. They are sending a clear message: if you hold us accountable, we will ruin your life.
<Rosario Salvatore Aitala, former judge of the International Criminal Court, at the University of Tuscia>
As someone currently studying for my Master’s degree in Security and Human Rights, witnessing this event was profound. Simply being in that room with these powerful voices was a sensational experience. Seeing them on stage being awarded the doctorate degree for their unwavering principled decisions was deeply motivating for me. As I watched the ceremony I was reminded of why I chose to pursue the legal path. Moreover, I was reminded of the immense courage it takes to stand up and pursue justice, which is a beautiful dream.
As judges, their duty was to hold some of the worst war criminals accountable and they were awarded for acting as protectors of the law, without submitting to coercion and intimidation. They have given us a masterclass in bravery. They are the blueprint for the kind of lawyer I strive to be, and exactly the kind of defenders our world desperately needs right now. A powerful quote I took note of was by Judge Guillou stating:
What matters is not how big we dream. What matters is the courage we have to make our dreams real!
<Nicolas Guillou, former judge of the International Criminal Court, at the University of Tuscia>
We have a lot of illegal activities on the rise across the world, and a disregard for norms of international law. It is incumbent upon us to stand up against these actions. This requires courage. If you want to see justice we have to seek it, and in this path of seeking justice, there might come upon us opposition. It is almost inevitable because perpetrators and beneficiaries of illegalities are going to fight back.
We’ve seen [with] the Israeli occupation and the genocide of Palestine and Gaza, if you speak against what is happening over there, you find yourself being persecuted, being sidelined, and losing privileges which you may have been enjoying. We are witnessing senseless conflicts on the rise, autocratic elements taking over institutions, and nations acting unilaterally. International law, which has been the grounding for a stable global system, is facing unprecedented pressure. Consequently, the global mood is veering between a little hope and immense despair. However, we must mount a fierce and coordinated resistance. The fact that these two men stood up and pushed back should serve as a profound template for all of us to emulate.
Watch my video documenting my experience from the day here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBpk8yCBJ8o
Read: Why I Write
If this piece resonated with you, read this companion piece to gain deeper insight into my motivations, methods, and the purpose behind my words. In “Why I Write,” I state the influences that shape my storytelling, the responsibilities I embrace as a writer, and reflections that guide my craft.
Read the post here: Why I Write
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