Geneva Solutions’s monthly “war criminal hunt”, in collaboration with the Geneva-based NGO Civitas Maxima. The first month of 2023 has been an indicator of how universal jurisdiction is gaining ground globally with every passing year. In Switzerland, the appeal proceedings against Liberian former rebel commander Alieu Kosiah began in a case that has represented many […]
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 […]
Geneva Solutions’s monthly “war criminal hunt” round-up, in collaboration with Geneva-based NGO Civitas Maxima. “The November edition of our round-up gives, as always, information about current extra-territorial cases for international crimes – including the verdict on the ground-breaking case in Paris that we mentioned last time. It also highlights efforts to prosecute such crimes in […]
Geneva Solutions’s monthly “war criminal hunt” round-up, in collaboration with Geneva-based NGO Civitas Maxima. “Once again our monthly round-up is a testimony of the importance of extra-territorial cases for international crimes, with cases on Ukraine, Liberia, and Kenya making significant progress this past month. As I type, I am with my colleagues at a Paris […]
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 […]
Geneva Solutions’ monthly “war criminal hunt” round-up, in collaboration with Geneva-based NGO Civitas Maxima. “Our monthly round-up continues with once again a rich diversity of cases brought or litigated in Asia, Africa and Europe, including one case in Guinea finally reaching the stage of the trial 13 years after the massacre committed in Conakry in […]
Martina Johnson was allegedly involved in mutilations and mass killings during the first Liberian Civil War. Thirty years later, Johnson has yet to stand trial. In October 1992, the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) forced hundreds of mostly intoxicated child soldiers to attack Liberia’s Capital Monrovia. They were part of “Operation Octopus”, a four-month-long […]
The plaintiffs were four survivors of the ruthless mass killing at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on 29 July 1990. The church, adorned with Red Cross and UN flags, served as a shelter while it continued its religious services before it became the site of an inhumane massacre.
Momentum for Justice in Liberia On Wednesday April 7, 2021, a Finnish court concluded the Gibril Massaquoi case hearings in Monrovia, Liberia, which began on February 23. 21 days of hearings, during which 55 witnesses were heard and interrogated by Finnish prosecutors and defense lawyers. Gibril Massaquoi, former RUF (Revolutionary United Front) spokesman and commander, has been charged […]
The Case of Liberian Child Soldiers There are a number of international legal instruments intended to safeguard children. These include the UN Declaration on the Rights of Children, stating that “the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care”, as well as the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the two […]
