Progress in universal jurisdiction in 2022
The UJAR identifies relevant cases based on universal and extraterritorial jurisdiction involving the international crimes of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and enforced disappearances. Significant progress in this field was made in 2022, including landmark convictions in Germany (Anwar Raslan), Sweden (Hamid Noury) and France (Kunti Kamara). With these decisions, the total number of convictions based on universal or extraterritorial jurisdiction since the UJAR was first published in 2015 has reached 78.
Momentum for Ukraine should be extended to crimes committed elsewhere
The atrocities committed following the Russian invasion in Ukraine triggered an unprecedented mobilisation of both national prosecution authorities and international institutions, such as the International Criminal Court. At least 11 investigations have been opened across Europe and in Canada based on universal jurisdiction. While this mobilisation is fundamental, it should not eclipse the need for justice in other contexts.
Ramping up investigations on economic actors
The number of legal proceedings involving the responsibility of European-based economic actors for international crimes continued to increase in 2022. 12 investigations are currently underway, notably in France, Sweden and Switzerland, against corporations, their executives and/or businesspersons regarding their alleged involvement in international crimes. These promising applications of universal and extraterritorial jurisdiction are notably the result of long-standing civil society efforts to hold all perpetrators accountable, including powerful corporations.
“The year 2022 witnessed an unprecedented momentum in favor of universal jurisdiction. To support and sustain national courts’ commitment to the pursuit of justice, each State should firmly embrace its obligations to combat these crimes by ensuring that it has adequate resources and appropriate legislative frameworks,” emphasised Philip Grant, Executive Director of TRIAL International.
About the UJAR 2023
The UJAR 2023 was authored by Shoshana Levy. This publication was generously supported by the Oak Foundation, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and the City of Geneva.
The UJAR 2023 is available at this link.
About universal jurisdiction
The principle of universal jurisdiction is based on the idea that international crimes are of such a grave nature that they constitute an attack on all human beings and, therefore, the fight against impunity for these crimes should know no borders. Under this principle, States have an obligation to prosecute suspects of international crimes present on their territory - irrespective of the nationality of the suspects and their victims, and independently of where the crimes were committed.
For more information on the report:
Département communication et relations médias TRIAL International
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