A former Nuremberg trial prosecutor will provide a historical and modern perspective on the operation of war crimes tonight at the Student Center.

Henry T. King, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, was part of the prosecuting team during the Nuremberg trials after World War II. King interviewed Albert Speer, one of Adolf Hitler’s top lieutenants, and was a special guest at the Inauguration of the International Criminal Court.

Richard Robyn, assistant professor and director of the Washington Program in National Issues, said King will give the students a personal touch to what they are studying.

“As one of the last surviving members of the Nuremberg prosecution team, he will bring a personal and informed professional perspective to issues of international law and justice,” Robyn said. “These are very much in the news these days, especially with the work of the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal tribunals in Liberia and Rwanda.”

This will be King’s second visit to Kent State. He spoke to students a few years ago and gave an excellent, dynamic and unique speech to students, Robyn said.

King will also speak about critical contemporary issues which include the U.S. government’s association with the ICC.

Patrick G. Coy, associate professor and director of the Center for Applied Conflict Management, said this will be a unique opportunity for students to meet one of the last surviving people who had any involvement with the Nuremberg trials.

It is important for all students and citizens to understand the root of law and the fact that war crimes are committed in every war, Coy said.

“The Nuremberg trials was one of the first experiments with war crimes and was a historical event for international human rights law,” Coy said.

King will use his knowledge and historical background to educate students on the Nuremberg trial and critical contemporary issues.

The event is sponsored by the Lemnitzer Center for NATO and EU studies, the department of political science and the Center for Applied Conflict Management. The talk begins at 7 p.m., is free and open to the public.

Contact College of Arts and Sciences reporter Ryan Knight at [email protected].