Whose Stories Count? The Epistemic Pathways of Victims’ Narratives at the International Criminal Court
June 1st, 2026
“Whose Stories Count? The Epistemic Pathways of Victims’ Narratives at the International Criminal Court” by Alessandra Cuppini, published in the Journal of International Criminal Justice, explores how victims’ stories are received and interpreted within the International Criminal Court (ICC). The article investigates not simply whether victims can participate in proceedings, but how their narratives are evaluated and transformed into legally meaningful knowledge.
Building on the concept of testimonial injustice developed by Miranda Fricker and adapted to international criminal justice by Shannon Fyfe, the study shifts the focus from access to participation toward epistemic reception, that is, which voices are treated as credible and what kinds of stories are considered authoritative in the courtroom. Although the ICC formally allows victims to present testimony or submit their “views and concerns”, their narratives are filtered through institutional mechanisms such as prosecutorial strategy, evidentiary standards, legal representation, and judicial oversight.
The article concludes that how the ICC receives and interprets victims’ narratives has important implications for the legitimacy and inclusiveness of international criminal justice. It proposes practical reforms and encourages further research, particularly studies that involve victims themselves, to strengthen the role and recognition of victims’ knowledge within ICC processes.
For more information about the article, click here.