Read about crimes against humanity conviction for Stroessner-era police officer in Paraguay, 13 former soldiers on trial for wartime crimes against Serbs in Bosnia, as well as more updates, insights, and key developments in the world of international justice.
Read about a former rebel commander acquitted on appeal in Finland, investigations moving forward for atrocity crimes in Darfur, as well as more updates, insights, and key developments in the world of international justice.
This month, a Belgian court convicted and sentenced five Guatemalan ex-officials in absentia for crimes against humanity during Guatemala’s civil war, marking a historic case for international justice. The officials were responsible for the deaths of Belgian missionaries. The trial highlights the growing trend of prosecuting international crimes outside the perpetrator’s home country.
A criminal complaint was filed in Argentina this month against former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, marking Argentina’s expanding role in international justice. Uribe is accused of crimes against humanity for the “false positives” scandal, where over 6,400 civilians were murdered by the military and falsely presented as guerrilla fighters during his presidency.
As Gaza’s war intensifies, questions about accountability for war crimes grow. Geneva Solutions, partnering with Civitas Maxima, highlights the challenges of prosecuting such crimes, especially amid political pressures. The ICC’s investigation in Palestine is ongoing, but limited resources and international tensions hinder its progress toward justice.
International justice has seen major developments recently, including France charging alleged Liberian and Rwandan war criminals, and Switzerland’s first-ever enforced disappearance case. The Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic continues delivering justice despite challenges, showcasing Africa’s potential for prosecuting war crimes locally, rather than relying solely on international courts.
Switzerland issued an international arrest warrant for Rifaat al-Assad, former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s uncle, for war crimes in Hama in 1982. Although Rifaat fled to Syria, the warrant represents a significant step towards accountability, thanks to Geneva-based NGO Trial International’s efforts under universal jurisdiction.
The International Criminal Court has relaunched its investigation into former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, rejecting the Philippines’ attempt to block the probe. Despite the country’s withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the court maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes that occurred beforehand, aiming to bring accountability for thousands of victims.
Argentina has begun hearings from Rohingya victims regarding Myanmar’s military atrocities, utilizing universal jurisdiction for accountability. Meanwhile, German carmakers face allegations of forced labor involving Uyghurs, and Rwandan businessman Félicien Kabuga has been declared unfit for trial over his involvement in the 1994 genocide.
A Swiss court upheld the conviction of Alieu Kosiah, a former Liberian rebel leader, for war crimes, marking the first conviction for crimes against humanity in Switzerland. Meanwhile, a new treaty on international crimes was adopted, and a US arms dealer was convicted for torture in Iraq.
