Some unspecified error has occurred.

Ben Ferencz

March 11, 1920 - April 7, 2023

On April 7, 2023, the world lost Ben Ferencz, an extraordinary man and a trailblazer in the field of international criminal law. Ben's role as a prosecutor at the Nuremberg Tribunal after the Second World War marked the beginning of a long career dedicated to promoting the international rule of law. The work of the Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein to the UN was greatly enriched by our longstanding friendship with Ben. As we mourn our role model, mentor, partner and friend, we will honor his legacy by heeding his call to “never give up” in the fight for a more just and peaceful world by strengthening the international rule of law. Rest in peace, Ben - thank you for being our friend and our inspiration. We invite others to join us in sharing their memories and reflections on Ben's exceptional life and work.

More... Less...

  • Memories Memories
    One moment please, your post is being saved...
  • Image Image
    To attach an image drag & drop it here or
    One moment please, your post is being saved...
  • Video Video
    Upload a video on YouTube and paste the code here:
    One moment please, your post is being saved...
  • Condolences Condolences
  • Condolences Condolences
    One moment please, your post is being saved...

Filter: Show all labels

2023-04-19 09:04:34 wrote:

"A real superhero" Ben was a force of nature - of human nature at its best. I met Ben for the first time at one of our negotiation sessions on the crime of aggression at Princeton University. I had already spent a few years as a diplomat at the United Nations, a place where people mostly speak in cryptic terms and compliment their opponents before politely disagreeing with them. Ben's straight talk was a shock to the system - a good one. He knew how to communicate with impact like nobody else. Some might say that "law not war" is simplistic, but it's also simply true. "Never give up" may seem obvious, but it's not when you're about to give up. Despite the horrors he had seen throughout his life, Ben was always positive and cheerful. He treated everybody with the same measure of respect, no matter their rank, age, or other pointless criteria. He always asked me about my family, how my kids were doing, and always had some good advice on his lips. A few years ago, when Ben received an honour in The Hague, I took my family to meet him there. I tried to explain to my boys (then 5 and 8 years old) on the way why Ben was so important, saying that he had brought some of history's worst criminals to justice. To which Nayan (5) replied: "So he is a REAL superhero". I could not have said it better. Rest in peace, dear Ben.

2023-04-19 09:04:34 wrote: "A real superhero" Ben was a force of nature - of human nature at its best. I met Ben for the first time at one of our negotiation sessions on the crime of aggression at Princeton University. I had already spent a few years as a diplomat at the United Nations, a place where people mostly speak in cryptic terms and compliment their opponents before politely disagreeing with them. Ben's straight talk was a shock to the system - a good one. He knew how to communicate with impact like nobody else. Some might say that "law not war" is simplistic, but it's also simply true. "Never give up" may seem obvious, but it's not when you're about to give up. Despite the horrors he had seen throughout his life, Ben was always positive and cheerful. He treated everybody with the same measure of respect, no matter their rank, age, or other pointless criteria. He always asked me about my family, how my kids were doing, and always had some good advice on his lips. A few years ago, when Ben received an honour in The Hague, I took my family to meet him there. I tried to explain to my boys (then 5 and 8 years old) on the way why Ben was so important, saying that he had brought some of history's worst criminals to justice. To which Nayan (5) replied: "So he is a REAL superhero". I could not have said it better. Rest in peace, dear Ben.

Comments (0)

  • No comments.