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.
January 2023 highlighted the growing impact of universal jurisdiction, with Switzerland’s first war crimes trial involving Liberian Alieu Kosiah. Meanwhile, former rebels faced charges in Finland, and the trial of Gambian death squad member Bai L. marked a historic moment for accountability. Global efforts against impunity continue to expand.
As 2022 concluded, significant strides in international justice were made, with the Kosovo Specialist Chambers convicting KLA commander Salih Mustafa. The U.S. expanded its war crimes prosecution powers, while Germany convicted a former Nazi camp secretary. Argentina sentenced ex-policeman Mario Sandoval for crimes during the Dirty War.
