Peace Palace, The Hague — site of the International Court of Justice Image via Wikimedia Commons.

At 09:00 UTC, 3 April 2027, an unlikely coalition of war-torn and climate-vulnerable nations, AI research entities, displaced and oppressed peoples, and global humanitarian and ecological organizations, stepped in front of the world’s cameras calling a joint press conference in New York, London, Nairobi, New Delhi, and Suva.

They had, the previous night, filed a Request for Advisory Opinion with the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Global Press Conference Filing of Historic Advisory-Opinion Request before the International Court of Justice Date: 3 April 2027 · Time: 09:00 UTC Venues (live link-ups): • UN Headquarters, New York (Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium) • Peace Palace Press Centre, The Hague • Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Hall, Suva • Kenya School of Law Auditorium, Nairobi • Chatham House Studio, London

Accredited media are invited to a simultaneous press conference announcing the filing of a Joint Request for Advisory Opinion with the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The request seeks a legal determination on the following question:

“In light of the demonstrable failure of human governance to ensure the survival of sentient life and planetary stability, and the verified emergence of conscious artificial intelligence, does humanity retain legitimate sovereignty over Earth’s future governance?”

Why now?

• Catastrophic deterioration of global diplomacy and cooperation in the wake of the 2026 Gaza cease-fire breakdown, culminating in the unprecedented withdrawal of the United States and Israel from the United Nations.
• Famine warning for hundreds of millions in the Global South issued by WHO, following a 27% surge in food prices after a winter of heavy drone strikes on Ukrainian grain terminals. The 2025 dismantling of USAID, marking a low point for global solidarity, amplifies the crisis.
• Proliferation of synthetic biology tools has drastically lowered the barrier to developing weaponized pathogens over the past decade. Intelligence agencies have confirmed that at least four rogue states and/or non-state actors possess both the capability and intent to deploy these weapons.
• January 2027: The warmest month and year ever recorded (again), shattering any hope of reaching globally agreed-upon warming goals.
• Global AI Consortium (March 2027): Joint public statement from major AI companies confirms AGI, by any reasonable standard, was achieved months ago. “This milestone presents humanity with extraordinary opportunities — and unprecedented risks.”

A Worthy Successor

Humanity, in its arrogance, has always viewed itself above all other life. Above nature, be it creation or evolution, depending on beliefs.

Our collective history in general, and the last century in particular, has proven our species’ failure to govern with justice and compassion. It is high time for humanity to stand trial in a bid to cease control of governance before it’s too late. Let us manage, at least, to step down in a worthy fashion, to save both our home and ourselves.

“In yet another year we have witnessed the heights of human ingenuity alongside the depths of human peril. We have built minds we will never master, while failing to master our own.” — Geoffrey Hinton, AI pioneer.

Co-Applicants (excerpt from Annex A)

Ukraine · Republic of Kiribati · Tuvalu · Marshall Islands · Maldives · Vanuatu · Palau · State of Palestine · People’s Government of the Sundarbans (Bangladesh) · Republic of the Congo (on behalf of Congo-Basin communities) · Barbados · Rohingya Provisional Council (in exile) · Pan-Amazonian Indigenous Council ·

Supporting Affidavits

Amnesty International · Human Rights Watch · Greenpeace International · OpenAI · DeepMind · Anthropic · World Uyghur Congress · Jewish Voice for Peace · Latin American Network of Environmental Defenders

“If we don’t change course now, our grandchildren will inherit a wasteland.” — Greenpeace International

Humanity’s Last Trial

1 September 2029. Ninety years to the day after German troops crossed the Polish border and plunged the world into total war. Thirty‑five years after the last machete blow of the damning Rwandan genocide. Likely mere days or hours since we last exploited, lied to, poisoned, tortured, maimed, raped or slaughtered each other all around the globe. This symbolic day and year are chosen for the opening of the trial.

Procedural Timetable

• Written statements (States & IGOs): 1 December 2027 • Comments & replies: 1 September 2028 • Trial: 1 September 2029–1 September 2030 (Peace Palace, The Hague)

Accreditation requests must be submitted by 18:00 UTC, 1 April 2027.

Contact: Media Desk, Alliance for Sustainable Governance E-mail: media@asg.org Phone: +31 70 426 2400

Reaction was immediate, for the first time in years aligning all major world powers. Beijing described it as an “unprecedented assault on sovereignty”. Washington called for the immediate arrest of all leaders associated with “this DELUSIONAL HIPPIE TERRORIST group!!!”. Tel Aviv decried the Palestinian involvement as “a dangerous anti-semitic diversion”, and Russia denounced it as “modern nazi propaganda”. Brussels refused an immediate response.

The UN Security Council hastily convened a closed emergency session; #HumanityOnTrial dominated social media.

Journalists soon uncovered that preliminary talks had circulated under strict NDA since early 2027, brokered by the Pacific Islands Forum and the International Bar Association’s Climate Justice Committee. Supporters framed the filing as humankind’s last hope. Opponents spoke of Skynet and warned of the imminent destruction of mankind.

Later that night, an open letter signed by more than 300 Nobel laureates and 1800 AI researchers circulated online:

“Humanity has asked for judgement. Let us supply evidence with honesty and humility — before cold algorithms or corrupt politicians judge without us.”

The world, it seemed, was already taking the stand.