August 13, 2025
EPOKA University proudly celebrates a remarkable achievement by Kristina Kraba, a second-year student in the Political Science and International Relations program. Kristina’s article, “The Effectiveness of Universal Jurisdiction in the Prosecution of War Crimes: The Cases of Jean Kambanda and Omar al-Bashir”, has been published in the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review (CULR) — Columbia University’s premier undergraduate legal publication.
EPOKA becomes the first Albanian university to have a student paper featured in this prestigious international journal.
CULR publishes long-form scholarly pieces by undergraduate students from around the world in its print journal, alongside original works by Columbia and Barnard undergraduates in its online platform, roundtables, current events features, and podcasts. Its mission is to provide Columbia University and the wider public with opportunities for the discussion of law-related ideas and the publication of undergraduate legal scholarship.
Kristina’s research examines the effectiveness of universal jurisdiction in prosecuting war crimes and human rights violations, focusing on two high-profile cases:
Jean Kambanda, former Prime Minister of Rwanda, prosecuted successfully by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
Omar al-Bashir, former President of Sudan, whose prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) faced significant enforcement challenges
Through this comparative analysis, the paper sheds light on the interplay between international law and political realities — including diplomatic immunity and interstate relations — and offers critical insights for strengthening international legal frameworks.
The Spring 2025 Print Journal featuring Kristina’s article is available online via the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review: Read the Journal Here.
You can also learn more about CULR’s mission and initiatives at: culawreview.org
