U.S. sanctions against its Prosecutor, contempt for its authority: attacks against the International Criminal Court are relentless. But international crimes are now also being judged by national courts, a sign that justice continues to be delivered, writes international lawyer Alain Werner.
Israeli journalists, academics, and rights groups are documenting atrocities in Gaza, exposing mass civilian deaths, deliberate attacks, and use of human shields. Their evidence, corroborated internationally, forms a crucial record against impunity—ensuring these crimes cannot be erased, even amid political pressure to silence accountability.
As war today seems to be the only agenda for some major powers, including a war against justice itself, all those who still uphold the values of international law must unite on the side of all victims, without discrimination, and support any genuine pursuit of justice, writes Alain Werner, director of Civitas Maxima.
November brought key justice developments: Colombia charged ex-FARC commanders for child soldier recruitment; the ICC issued arrest warrants for Myanmar’s army chief and Gaza leaders. Reparations advanced in Ukraine, Norway apologized to Indigenous groups, and courts addressed war crimes in Guatemala, DRC, Peru, and Croatia.
October saw significant developments in international justice, including the Netherlands’ first trial addressing Yazidi enslavement, Bangladesh’s charges against ex-PM Hasina, and key war crimes trials and investigations in Belgium, Libya, Uganda, and more.
The tragic events that have unfolded since October 7, 2023, in Israel and Palestine have triggered a historically unprecedented wave of global judicial activity. Although some tangible results have been achieved over the past year, the overall impact remains very limited.
Read about how a Moroccan court will examine an Israeli war crimes case, how a case was filed before the ICJ against the Taliban for gender discrimination, as well as more updates, insights, and key developments in the world of international justice.
The Statute of the ICC is based on the principle of complementarity. It will only act if the competent state is “unwilling” or unable to investigate or prosecute. Alain Werner highlights that coastal West Africa sets an example for the rest of the continent in terms of transitional justice. The results are more mixed for Europe.
The International Criminal Court cannot try high-ranking political leaders in their absence, even those for whom it has issued arrest warrants, which limits its actions. However, a recent development could help bring changes to the current system.
Read about a ground-breaking appeal decision in the Kunti Kamara case, a fact finding mission reports crimes against humanity in Iran, as well as more updates, insights, and key developments in the world of international justice.
