Anyone working to deliver justice for victims of international crimes knows that the judicial process can be hindered by political considerations at every stage. Recent news has once again reminded us of this harsh truth.
International crimes never die (but their perpetrators age)
International crimes are not subject to statute of limitations, but what can be done when their perpetrators, sometimes tried decades after the facts, have become senile, demented, and can no longer understand the proceedings?
Is the European Union responsible for crimes against humanity?
“If you think too many people are being killed, perhaps you should provide fewer weapons,” said the EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell. He also needs to clean up his own house, writes Alain Werner, director of Civitas Maxima.
Europe does not have a monopoly on justice for international crimes
In Argentina, it is possible to file complaints for international crimes without the accused being in Argentina or having committed the crimes there; the Colombian Álvaro Uribe has just faced such charges, accused of forced disappearances. A model, according to Civitas Maxima’s director Alain Werner.
Justice in the Central African Republic: a model to follow?
The Special Criminal Court was created in 2015 in Bangui – under the sponsorship of the UN – by the government of the Central African Republic, one of the least developed countries, which plunged into a civil war in 2013, writes Alain Werner, director of Civitas Maxima.
For justice in Syria, hope comes from Geneva rather than The Hague
It remains to be seen whether Rifaat al-Assad will ever be tried in Switzerland for his alleged crimes. However, thanks to the persistence of Geneva-based Trial International and the Office of the Attorney General in Bern, an international arrest warrant for him, for war crimes, has now been issued.
Le droit international marque des points à Ljubljana et à Paris
COLUMN. The new Mutual Legal Assistance Convention of Ljubljana-The Hague is the first significant treaty in international criminal law since the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 1998, analyzes Alain Werner, who also sees improvements in Paris.
Benjamin Ferencz, a great man whose words are already missed
He reportedly shouted against Syria’s reintegration into the Arab League and Russia’s presidency of the Security Council. But the vocal advocate for international justice, who served as a prosecutor at Nuremberg, passed away in April at the age of 103. A tribute.
Juges d’un jour et crimes de masse
One-day judges and mass crimes OPINION. The oral proceedings of French trials surprised our columnist Alain Werner, director of Civitas Maxima, during the trial of Liberian warlord Kunti Kamara, which was just held in Paris. Appearing before a French “Cour d’assises” is a fascinating dive into the principle of orality, with a court that includes both […]
Est-il nécessaire de tout nier si on est accusé de crimes internationaux ?
Is it necessary to deny everything if one is accused of international crimes? OPINION. They are accused – and convicted – of war crimes and crimes against humanity in West Africa, but do not recognize them, even partially, explains lawyer Alain Werner. Unless their lawyer, like François Roux, accompanies them on the path of asking […]
