Focus on International Justice – October
[Netherlands] First Dutch case examining crimes against the Yazidis in Iraq
This month, hearings took place in the case against a Dutch national who travelled to Syria in 2015 with her young child and married an ISIS fighter. The case is the first in the Netherlands to consider crimes against the Yazidi minority in Iraq, and the first in which the crime of slavery as a crime against humanity is being prosecuted. Hasna A. was repatriated from a detention camp in Syria and is accused of the enslavement of two Yazidi women (Z. and S.), both of whom testified in the case, membership of a terrorist organisation and endangerment of her child.
The substantive hearings took place on 14, 16 and 17 October 2024 at the Schiphol Judicial Complex. Victims’ lawyers highlighted the importance of criminal proceedings not only for direct victims, but the broader community. The trial was heavily attended by the public and was livestreamed in Iraqi universities. The Court offered a Livestream for the substantive hearings which included simultaneous interpretation from Dutch to Kurmanji.
[Bangladesh] Arrest Warrant issued for exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for Crimes Against Humanity
The Chief Prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal announced 45 arrest warrants on 17 October – including a warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and other senior members of her cabinet. Sheikh Hasina is accused of orchestrating the violent crackdown on student protests which resulted in the death of over 1000 students in July and August of this year.
[Belgium] Authorities open a war crimes investigation into a Belgian-Israeli soldier who fought in Gaza
An investigation was opened in Belgium on 16 October targeting the actions of a dual national who was allegedly a member of the Israeli sniper unit known as “Refaim” or “Ghosts.” Journalists working in Gaza have linked the group to executions of unarmed civilians.
[Mongolia] Failure to arrest and surrender Vladimir Putin found to violate the Rome Statute
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II found Mongolia’s failure to arrest and surrender Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Mongolia to be in violation of the Rome Statute. The Chamber re-iterated that personal immunity is not opposable before the ICC, and no specific waiver is required. The situation was referred to the Assembly of States Parties.
[Uganda] The High Court sentences formed LRA commander to 40 years in prison for crimes against humanity
On 22 October, Tomas Kwoyelo was sentenced to 40 years in prison by the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Gulu. During a trial that took place in August, he was found guilty of charges including rape, murder, torture, pillage, abduction and destruction of camps for internally displaced people between 1996 and 2005.
[Rwanda] The eighth Rwandan universal jurisdiction trial opens in France
The trial of Rwandan Doctor, Eugene Rwamucyo, began in France on 1 October. He is charged with genocide, complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity, complicity in crimes against humanity and conspiring to prepare those crimes. Expected to last four weeks, around 60 witnesses are anticipated to testify during the trial. Rwamucyo is accused of participating in the execution and burial of wounded patients in mass graves.
[Libya] The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I unsealed six arrest warrants related to the Libya situation
The UN Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC in 2011, following violence and use of force against civilians, including the repression of peaceful demonstrators, under the Gaddafi regime. The arrest warrants name individuals suspected of involvement in war crimes allegedly committed in Tarhunah, including murder, outrages upon personal dignity, cruel treatment, torture, sexual violence and rape.
[Uganda] The ICC concludes that Joseph Kony’s confirmation of charges hearing can be held in absentia
On 29 October, Pre-Trial Chamber III found the requirements to hold the confirmation of charges hearing in absentia have been met in the case against Joseph Kony, former commander-in-chief of the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. The date of the hearing against Kony, whose warrant of arrest had been issued under seal in July 2005, will be announced in due course.
[Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel] UN Commission of Inquiry report finds war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory
A new report by the UN Commission of Inquiry found that Israeli authorities’ concerted policy to destroy the Gazan healthcare system and mistreatment of Palestinian detainees amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Commission similarly determined that members of Hamas and other Palestinian armed group perpetrated war crimes and crimes against humanity by mistreating Israeli hostages.
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Photo: Two destroyed tanks in front of a mosque in Azaz, Syria. Credit: Christiaan Triebert
