International crimes never die (but their perpetrators age) OPINION. International crimes have no statute of limitations, but what can be done when their perpetrators, sometimes tried decades after the fact, have become senile, mentally ill, and can no longer understand prosecution? asks Civitas Maxima’s lawyer Alain Werner. The most striking difference between the prosecution of a common crime – for example, homicide following a bank robbery – and that of an international crime – genocide, war crimes, torture, crimes against humanity – is that for the latter, criminal proceedings are never ti ..read more

Kunti Kamara: conviction for complicity in crimes against humanity confirmed on appeal Paris, France: Today, the Paris “Cour d’assises”, composed of three judges and nine jury members, confirmed the 2022 guilty verdict and found Kunti Kamara, former Liberian ULIMO rebel commander, guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity, and commission of simple and aggravated acts of torture and barbarism. Mr Kamara was sentenced to 30 years-imprisonment.  The appeal court found Mr Kamara guilty of rape and sexual slavery committed by his subordinates;  subjecting a man to severe suffering a ..read more

Is the European Union responsible for crimes against humanity? OPINION. Our columnist Alain Werner, lawyer and director of the NGO Civitas Maxima, is delighted with the intense activity in the field of international law, with several cases of states or suspects under the microscope of justice. However, he warns that victims of mass crimes should not be promised compensation unless they can be sure of being able to pay it. Compensation for victims of mass crimes after all? There’s a lot going on this month in the field of international law, including Switzerland, with the referral to the Federa ..read more

Focus on International Justice – February  Each month, Civitas Maxima will publish an overview of what happened in the world of international criminal law around the world, with a focus on stories that did not make the headlines. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive Focus on International Justice in your inbox. [Paraguay] Crimes against humanity conviction for Stroessner-era police officer – On February 20, Eusebio Torres, now 87, was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for crimes against humanity committed during Alfredo Stroessner’s military dictatorship that ruled Paraguay from ..read more

Is the European Union responsible for crimes against humanity? OPINION. “If you think that too many people are being killed, perhaps you should supply fewer weapons”, said the EU’s chief diplomat; Josep Borrell should also put his own house in order, writes Alain Werner, of Civitas Maxima, as the EU provides support for the repression of illegal immigration from North Africa to Europe, at the center of several international complaints. In response to a letter from South Africa, and in the light of events on the ground, on February 16 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling on ..read more

January: Acquittal in Finland, former Gambian minister on trial in Switzerland Each month, Civitas Maxima will publish an overview of what happened in the world of international criminal law around the world, with a focus on stories that did not make the headlines. Former rebel commander acquitted on appeal in Finland. Gibril Massaquoi, former Revolutionary United Front (RUF) commander and spokesperson, was acquitted by the Turku Court of Appeal on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, murder, and torture. He had previously been acquitted by the Tampere District Court in 2022, a deci ..read more

Massaquoi case: Finnish Appeals Court Confirms the Acquittal Decision (Finland) – Today, January 31, 2024, the Turku Court of Appeal issued its judgement and confirmed the acquittal of Gibril Massaquoi – former Revolutionary United Front (RUF) commander and spokesman – for war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, and murder that he was accused of committing in Liberia during the country’s second civil war (1999-2003). According to the judgement, the Tampere District Court did not err when applying the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard. The court held that most of the witnesses’ testimon ..read more

No More “Lack Of Political Will” When It Comes to War-Related Impunity; President Boakai’s Unsaid Words Bring Hope to Liberians “We have decided to set up an office to explore the feasibility for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) to provide an opportunity for those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity to account for their actions in court.”  WE DID NOT hear these words pronounced by upcoming President Joseph Boakai, as he delivered his inauguration address on January 22 at Capital Building – cut short as the President poss ..read more

Towards a greater universality of international law? 2023 was a landmark year for international justice, with the historic appeal judgement on the Alieu Kosiah case handed down in June by the Swiss Federal Criminal Court. The beginning of 2024 continues on this note, as the trial of Ousman Sonko – former Gambian Interior Minister accused of crimes against humanity – is currently taking place at the Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona. He is the highest-ranking political dignitary tried in Europe for extra-territorial international crimes. But it does not stop there: international law wa ..read more

International crimes never die For this final international law column of 2023, and despite the rising tensions, especially in the Middle East, I wanted to end the year on an optimistic note. Indeed, we owe it to future generations to never give up, but rather to hold high the conviction that, thanks to the application of international law, we are nonetheless moving towards a better world. At a time when the 123 member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are meeting in New York to decide on the budget to be allocated to the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor in 2024, lawyers and assoc ..read more