2024: A year of progress for justice
Dear friends,
In 2024, for the seventh time in eight years, several cases related to international crimes on which Civitas Maxima collaborated led to trials. This track record is unmatched for an organization of our size, especially one that operates without public funding.
In Liberia, the possibility for victims of the severest crimes to obtain justice outside their country—where it remains inaccessible—has placed pressure on the government. This year, this pressure resulted in the decision to establish a special court for war crimes to prosecute these crimes domestically. This development brings immense hope to forgotten victims worldwide.
Today, Civitas Maxima is working on a growing number of cases, including a groundbreaking one in Spain involving a Spanish national linked to international crimes committed in Sierra Leone. This marks the first instance of such a case in Spain.
Thanks to your support, we will strive to further advance justice in 2025 for the victims with whom we stand, even as we navigate new and challenging contexts. Another year where we will be proud to have you by our side!
Alain Werner, Director of Civitas Maxima
Spain’s first case against a Spanish citizen for international crimes
Manuel Terrén Parcerisas, a Spanish businessman residing in Brazil, was arrested on July 2, 2024, for his alleged involvement in the illegal diamond trade that financed the Sierra Leonean civil war that devastated the country from 1991 to 2002. This marks Spain’s first case involving international crimes against one of its own citizens, initiated after a victim filed a complaint with the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid with support from Civitas Maxima and the Center for Accountability and Rule of Law in Sierra Leone.
Justice in Liberia: progress toward a War Crimes Special Court
On May 2, 2024, the President of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, signed an executive order establishing the office responsible for creating a special court for war crimes. Over 20 years after the end of the conflict, this decision marked a crucial step in the fight against impunity in Liberia for crimes committed during the two civil wars. This office will be led by lawyer Jallah Barbu, who was appointed on November 1, and Civitas Maxima, along with its partner organization, the Global Justice and Research Project, will provide the office with all possible support in carrying out its mission: to grant Liberian victims access to justice in their own country.
Kunti Kamara’s case: final conviction of the former Liberian commander
On June 25, 2024, the conviction of former Liberian rebel leader Kunti Kamara was made final after the French “Cour de cassation”, the highest judicial authority, ruled that he had not filed his appeal in time. This decision followed the confirmation on appeal by the “Cour d’assises” of Paris of Kunti Kamara’s guilt in complicity in crimes against humanity and in the commission of simple and aggravated acts of torture and barbarism. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison on March 27 following several weeks of trial. Once again, the victims showed tremendous courage and dignity in this case, traveling to another continent to be heard, and carrying forward a new chapter in the quest for justice in Liberia.
Massaquoi case: Finnish Appeal Court confirms acquittal
On January 31, 2024, the Turku Court of Appeal upheld the acquittal of Gibril Massaquoi, former commander and spokesperson for the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, and murder that he was accused of committing in Liberia during the country’s second civil war (1999-2003). Although this decision was a great disappointment, especially for the victims who had the courage to testify, Civitas Maxima and its partner organization, the GJRP, fully respect the judges’ decision. The Massaquoi case will also become an important reference in terms of how to implement universal jurisdiction to combat the impunity of international crimes.
From Pinochet’s case to the blood diamonds trade in Sierra Leone: a conversation with Juan Garcés
During his visit to Geneva in early October, Civitas Maxima hosted Spanish lawyer Juan Garcés. Garcés, former advisor to President Salvador Allende, is the man behind the arrest 26 years ago of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. He spoke about this fight that raised global awareness of a new path to justice for the gravest crimes. Juan Garcés and his son Hernán are currently collaborating with Civitas Maxima on the Manuel Terrén case in Spain.
Alieu Kosiah case: Swiss Federal Criminal Court’s decision is online
On February 29, 2024, the Court of Appeal of the Swiss Federal Criminal Court (TPF) published its 360-page judgment from May 30, 2023, from the Alieu Kosiah case, which is a landmark in Swiss and Liberian legal history. This decision marks Switzerland’s first conviction for crimes against humanity, and the first for war crimes before the Federal Criminal Court. It is also the first conviction of a Liberian national for war crimes committed during the civil wars that lasted over ten years (1989-1996 and 1999-2003). The decision outlines the legal and factual grounds on which the judges based their ruling. Civitas Maxima will publish an English version of this judgment on its website in early 2025.
