Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein is the Perry World House Professor of Practice of Law and Human Rights at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a distinguished diplomat and international legal scholar with extensive experience in global human rights, international criminal law, and United Nations reform.

His expertise spans:

• International Human Rights Law
• Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution
• Global Security and Nuclear Policy
• International Criminal Court (ICC) and Rule of Law
• Prevention of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

The available publications reflect a strong focus on contemporary international conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, with an emphasis on legal accountability, humanitarian concerns, and diplomatic engagement. His 2023 panel on the Israel-Hamas conflict illustrates his ongoing engagement with pressing global crises.

• Author of the landmark 2005 ‘Zeid Report’ on eliminating sexual exploitation and abuse in UN peacekeeping operations
• Key architect in the establishment of the International Criminal Court
• First President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute
• Chair of negotiations on the crime of aggression (Kampala, 2010)

Zeid has advised senior UN leadership and represented Jordan at the International Court of Justice. He played a foundational role in shaping UN policies on peacekeeping integrity and accountability. His career bridges high-level diplomacy with academic scholarship, contributing significantly to global governance and human rights frameworks.

He has been actively involved in policy development through leadership roles in international institutions and continues to contribute through academic engagement at Perry World House.