About the Journal

International criminal law is facing significant challenges. While the International Criminal Court (ICC) is increasingly subject to political and institutional pressure, the national level is assuming ever greater importance for the enforcement and further development of international criminal law. At the same time, many of these developments remain fragmented in academic discourse and are often confined to national contexts or individual linguistic communities. German-language scholarship on international criminal law, with its distinctive questions and perspectives, likewise lacks a dedicated publication forum. Contributions addressing issues of international criminal law are scattered across various journals in the fields of international law and criminal law and, increasingly—particularly where current developments are concerned—published in academic blogs.

The Zeitschrift für Völkerstrafrecht (ZVStR) seeks to fill this gap. It is conceived as a forum for observing, contextualizing, and discussing developments in international criminal law. Its aim is to make relevant case law, proceedings, and scholarly debates accessible to an audience interested in international criminal law in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (the DACH region), thereby fostering greater exchange and connectivity within the field. At the same time, selected contributions in English—such as case notes on significant decisions from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—will help bring these developments to the attention of an international audience. As an online open-access journal, the project ensures free and easily accessible availability for all interested readers.