April 2020 - Domestic Prosecution of International Crimes Updates
By: Sophia Zademack, Junior Research Associate, PILPG-NL
Even though many courts have minimized their hearings due to the spread of the Coronavirus, several trials are still ongoing. States have initiated or continued the prosecution of international crimes in their domestic jurisdiction relying on universal jurisdiction. The following article highlights some of those cases.
EUROPE
UK /Yemen | British lawyers launch a case against war crimes committed in Yemen
UK Lawyers have filed a case through the United Nations regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Yemen. The applications have been made using UN mechanisms, requesting the authorities to investigate further the Sanaa Funeral Hall bombing in 2016, the UAE’s use of mercenaries, and allegations of torture in secret prisons in the country. [31 Mar. 2020]
Germany | First case against Syrian state torture in Germany
The trial against two former officials from the Syrian government has started in Germany. A former Syrian colonel and one of the perpetrators that worked under the colonel are under trial and accused of crimes against humanity for their alleged involvement in state torture. The case against the colonel is considered more important since he is seen as a former representative of the Syrian government. This is the first-ever case in Germany (and worldwide) against state torture in the case of Syria. [23 Apr. 2020]
ASIA
Sri Lanka | War Crimes Perpetrator pardoned
Sri Lanka's president has pardoned a soldier who was sentenced to death for war crimes involving the killing of eight civilians during the country’s civil war. The pardoned soldier was sentenced in 2015 for blindfolding eight civilians from the Tamil ethnic group, slitting their throats and dumping their bodies into a sewer in 2000. The pardon brought outrage from several rights activists such as Amnesty International. [30. Mar. 2020]
AFRICA
Chad | Habré temporarily set free
The former president of Chad, Hissene Habre, who was found guilty of crimes against humanity and convicted in 2015, has been temporarily set free from his prison cell in Senegal. The release was requested because of the high risk of him being infected with the coronavirus in jail. The Senegalese authorities granted him a 60-day release on humanitarian grounds, but he will be kept under house arrest during those two months.. [7. Apr. 2020]
SOUTH AMERICA
Brazil | State governor accusing Bolsonaro of crimes against humanity
Rio state Governor W. Witzel criticized president Bolsonaro's defiance of guidelines from the United Nations and World Health Organization regarding COVID-19. He added that it could be considered a crime against humanity. Bolsonaro has attacked social isolation measures and state governors who introduced them, ignoring the advice of his own health minister, Luiz Mandetta. [16. Apr. 2020]