In Memoriam: Judge Lennart Aspegren (1931–2026)

Judge Lennart Aspegren has past away at his home in Stockholm, 95 years old. Aspegren became one of the three UN judges who, on September 2, 1998, delivered the world’s first conviction for genocide in the Akayesu case.

Lennart Aspegren was the son of brewery director Ivar Aspegren and Suleika Gazala Bey. His unique family background – with a mother from a French-Chaldean family with roots in Iraq and a maternal grandfather who earned his doctorate under Louis Pasteur – gave him not only bilingualism in Swedish and French, but perhaps also a deep understanding of justice and human rights. After beginning his career in 1958, Lennart became a Justice of the Svea Court of Appeal in 1979 and Legal Director at the Ministry of Finance the same year, a position he held until 1996. As a member of the Labour Court and through his extensive international involvement with the OECD, ILO, and UNDP, he demonstrated early commitment to justice at a global level. Lennart’s heart beat strongly for those without rights. In 1964, he helped establish the Swedish section of Amnesty International and served on its board from 1970–1976.

When the UN sought judges for the newly created Rwanda Tribunal in 1995, Lennart was the obvious candidate, much because of his professional experience and language skills. Together with Antonio Cassese and other bilingual judges Aspegren was instrumental in ironing out linguistic differences and harmonizing the rules of procedure and evidence at the UN ad hoc tribunals for Rwanda and former Yugoslavia. Together with his colleagues Navi Pillay and Laïty Kama, he made history in the Akayesu case. The conviction of Mayor Jean-Paul Akayesu was groundbreaking – notably for recognizing rape as an act of genocide. When witnesses during the trial described massive sexual crimes, it was the judges who asked the crucial questions that led to amendments in the indictment. Their recognition of rape’s role in destroying an ethnic group created legal precedent that continues to guide the fight against impunity for sexual crimes in war today.

Even after retiring as a judge, he described the tribunal’s work as absolutely essential for the healing process in Rwanda. However, he avoided using the word “reconciliation” as it could sound too simplistic. Instead, he advocated for a more realistic ambition: encouraging people to live in peaceful coexistence.

In 2011, Lennart served on the UN expert committee on the Gaza conflict of 2008–2009, and in 2013, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Stockholm University, primarily for his active participation in research and teaching in international criminal law at the university.

After his time as an international judge, when he returned to Stockholm, he was a highly appreciated friend and colleague who participated in conversations, discussions, and meetings with students. Moreover, he showed great hospitality and welcomed visitors to his home with his wife Berit. He shared stories both large and small, along with hearty laughter.

Lennart continued until the very end to engage in questions of international law, legal security, and moral and ethical responsibility. With a combination of idealism and practical skill, Lennart Aspegren helped lay the foundation for modern international criminal law.

Ove Bring

Hans Corell

Johan Hirschfeldt

Marie Jacobsson

Mark Klamberg

Said Mahmoudi

Pål Wrange

Photo attribution: “Lennart Aspegren 2012” by Robert Berggren is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 / Cropped from original.