Leslie Kassongo Tambu

Leslie holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree (Criminal law) from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Part of her degree took place at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland as part of an exchange within the Swiss European Mobility Program (SEMP). In addition to this, Leslie pursued an advanced LL.M in International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) in Switzerland, where she concentrated on international criminal law, international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international migration law.

During her studies in Geneva, Leslie worked as a research assistant at the Bulan Institute of Peace Innovations within the Division of Prevention of Violent Extremism with a special focus on returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) in the Middle East. She further had the chance to work with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as part of her law clinic project where she researched racial discrimination in judicial processes. After her studies, Leslie undertook an internship at the International Criminal Court (ICC) where she worked in the trial chambers.

Since October 2023, Leslie has been a mandate assistant at the VUB. Her research is situated within the field of international criminal law and focuses on the contribution element of modes of liability. In addition to her research, Leslie teaches the seminars of the course ‘Methodology of Law’ to first year bachelor students.