Focus on International Justice – December
From the first trial held under the principle of universal jurisdiction for international crimes committed in Gambia under former President Yahya Jammeh, to the first conviction of the Belgian state for crimes against humanity during its colonial rule, December has been full of remarkable developments regarding international justice.
[Germany] First Gambian national convicted for international crimes committed under former President Yahya Jammeh
The Higher Regional Court of Celle is the first court to recognize that crimes against humanity have been committed in the Gambia under the presidency of Yahya Jammeh, enforcing the principle of universal jurisdiction. Bai Lowe, former member of a Gambian death squad, was sentenced to life imprisonment last year for two murders and three attempted murders. On the 29e of November, the German Federal Court of justice rejected the appeal of former member of a Gambian death squad sentenced to life imprisonment last year.
[Bangladesh] Bangladesh requests India to extradite former Prime Minister
On August 5, 2024, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India seeking refuge after being ousted from her position. Hasina is now facing serious allegations of crimes against humanity related to the violent protests that took place in July 2024, which led to a brutal crackdown and enforced disappearances of protestors. Bangladesh has officially requested India to extradite former Prime Minister but is still not complying with its formal request.
[United Kingdom] Legal action initiated against British Petroleum for complicity in war crimes
Bindmans LLP is representing Palestinian victims of Israel’s bombing against British Petroleum for aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The British company is accused of collusion in war crimes through the continuous supply of crude oil using the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline.
[Nicaragua] Political prisoners subjected to crimes against humanity
The Nicaraguan government is facing allegations of physical and psychological torture, arbitrary detention, forced disappearances and other severe human rights violations. At least 229 individuals have been detained in the country for political reasons and endured such acts that could be designated as crimes against humanity according to the Nicaraguan Human Rights Collective Nunca Más.
[Democratic Republic of Congo] Apple sued for complicity in conflict minerals trade
Democratic Republic of Congo filed a criminal lawsuit against Apple in Belgium and France related to conflict minerals. Apple could face complicity in the conflict minerals trade, cover up for war crimes and laundering of tainted minerals.
[Finland] Russian on trial for war crimes in Ukraine committed a decade ago
Yan Petrovsky, an ex-commander of the Russian far-right extremist Rusich paramilitary group affiliated to the Wagner group, went on trial in Finland on Thursday 5e of December. He is being charged with war crimes committed in Ukraine between 2014 and 2015. This case represents an important effort by prosecutors outside Ukraine to pursue justice for victims of presumed war crimes that happened long before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
[United States] Two former high-ranking Syrian officials indicted for war crimes perpetrated in Syria
Charges against two former Syrian intelligence officials were unsealed on Monday 9e of December in Illinois. The two former officers are held accountable for conspiracy to commit war crimes through cruel and inhuman treatment of civilian detainees during the Syrian civil war.
[Netherlands] Justice for a Yazidi woman kept as a slave
Hasna A. was convicted of crimes against humanity for keeping a Yazidi woman as a slave in Syria and was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. She was among the 12 women repatriated to the Netherlands from a refugee camp in 2022 to seek justice for the victims. Hasna A. denied accusations arguing that the woman was under her husband responsibility.
[Belgium] Belgian state found guilty of crimes against humanity under colonial Congo
Five mixed-race women won their lawsuit against the state of Belgium on December 2.. The women were removed from their mothers as children which constitutes crimes against humanity under the principles of international law. This victory represents a historic judgment, being the first in Belgium condemning the Belgian colonial state for crimes against humanity.
[International Criminal Court] Reparations stage achieved in the Al Hassan case
After being convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between April 2. 2012 and January 29e 2013 in Timbuktu, Al Hassan was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment by the ICC. The judgement is now final and has now reached the reparations stage.
Did we forget anything? Let us know with a comment!
Photo: Golden Lady Justice, Bruges, Belgium. Credit: Emmanuel Huybrechts
