About the AIDP
The International Association of Penal Law (AIDP/IAPL) was founded on March 14, 1924, in Paris. It continues the legacy of the International Union of Penal Law, established in 1889 in Vienna by three pioneers of modern criminal law: Franz von Liszt, Gérard Van Hamel, and Adolphe Prins. The outbreak of World War I led to the dissolution of the original Union, but its vision lived on in the AIDP.
A Global Network of
Criminal Law Experts
A Global Network of
Criminal Law Experts
As the oldest global network of criminal law experts, and one of the oldest scientific associations worldwide, the AIDP has held a unique position in its field for over a century. It engages with academics, legal practitioners, and institutions on key issues such as criminal policy and legislation, comparative and international criminal law, and human rights in criminal justice systems.
From the beginning, the Association has been deeply involved in shaping international criminal law, particularly in addressing the responsibility of individuals for international crimes. Inspired by influential figures like Vespasian V. Pella, Romania’s delegate to the League of Nations, AIDP members have contributed significantly to foundational developments in the field. Through its collaborations – especially with the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (SII) in Siracusa, Italy – the Association played a pivotal role in advancing the idea of a permanent international criminal court. Among its many contributions, the work of Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni stands out: as president of the drafting committee for the Rome Statute, he was instrumental in the creation of the International Criminal Court in 1998.
AIDP’s Scientific
Committee and Publications
AIDP’s Scientific
Committee and Publications
With an open and inclusive structure, the AIDP welcomes members from around the world – including a new generation of scholars organized in the Young Penalists group. Its global network spans about 40 national groups and fosters a vibrant academic exchange. The Scientific Committee oversees the Association’s scholarly work, culminating in quinquennial world congresses, which are preceded by thematic colloquia in the areas of substantive, special, procedural, and international criminal law.
The Association’s research and dialogue are reflected in several key publications: the Revue Internationale de Droit Pénal (published biannually since 1924 in English, French, and Spanish), the Nouvelles Études Pénales (reporting on expert meetings and national initiatives), and the Acts of International Congresses (documenting congress debates and resolutions).
The Siracusa
International Institute
The Siracusa
International Institute
A major milestone in the Association’s history was the founding of the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (formerly the International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences – ISISC) in 1972. This independent institute – with NGO status – operates under the scientific guidance of the AIDP and has become a leading platform for advanced studies, training, and international cooperation. Together, the AIDP and the SII organize a broad range of academic events – often in partnership with international organizations like the United Nations and the Council of Europe – and contribute to the development of key international instruments, such as the UN Convention against Torture, adopted in 1984.
A Legacy of Innovation
and Cooperation
Today, the AIDP remains a driving force in criminal law and criminal justice research. Its long-standing tradition is matched by a strong commitment to innovation, dialogue, and global cooperation in meeting the legal and ethical challenges of our time.