Despite its legal clarity and direct evidence in cases like Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the crime of aggression remains almost untried—prompting calls for a special tribunal and renewed focus on international justice
Focus on International Justice – November
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.
Focus on International Justice – April
Read about crimes against migrants, a War crimes court to be established in Liberia, as well as more updates, insights, and key developments in the world of international justice.
Focus on International Justice – March
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.
Compensation for victims of mass crimes after all?
While he welcomes the intense recent developments in the field of international law, with several cases of states or suspects under judicial scrutiny. Alain Werner, director of Civitas Maxima, warns that one should not raise hopes of compensation for victims of mass crimes without being able to ensure that these compensations can actually be provided.
International crimes never die
Crimes committed in Ukraine and Syria, currently under investigation by judicial bodies, suggest that international justice, though slow, is progressing inexorably, explains Alain Werner, director of Civitas Maxima.
War crimes round-up: Switzerland weighs in on elusive quest for justice over Syria Hama massacre
Switzerland issued an international arrest warrant for Rifaat al-Assad, former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s uncle, for war crimes in Hama in 1982. Although Rifaat fled to Syria, the warrant represents a significant step towards accountability, thanks to Geneva-based NGO Trial International’s efforts under universal jurisdiction.
War crimes round-up: Swiss court upholds war crimes conviction against Liberian rebel, ‘historic’ crimes treaty adopted
A Swiss court upheld the conviction of Alieu Kosiah, a former Liberian rebel leader, for war crimes, marking the first conviction for crimes against humanity in Switzerland. Meanwhile, a new treaty on international crimes was adopted, and a US arms dealer was convicted for torture in Iraq.
War crimes round-up: Gambian former minister charged in Switzerland, trial against Kosovo ex-president begins
Benjamin Ferencz, the last Nuremberg prosecutor, passed away this month, leaving a legacy of accountability in international law. His work resonates amid significant legal actions, including the Swiss indictment of Gambia’s ex-minister for crimes against humanity and France’s upcoming trial of Syrian officials for war crimes.
The International Criminal Court is finally at the center of the global game
The International Criminal Court is finally at the center of the global game After the failed prosecutions a few years back against former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, then former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo Jean-Pierre Bemba, the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague, […]
