Universal jurisdiction has gathered unprecedented momentum in 2016. In its annual report, TRIAL International, and its partners REDRESS, FIDH, ECCHR and FIBGAR look back on its application through 47 recent cases.
Last year alone, five States have brought charges for alleged crimes in Syria. Investigations are ongoing in three others. For victims, these proceedings may be their only chance to obtain justice.
Universal jurisdiction has proved a significant tool against impunity in Syria, but it also applies to many more situations: Rwanda, Nepal, Guatemala and Iraq, to name but a few.
47 milestone cases in 2016
To illustrate this breadth, TRIAL International, REDRESS, FIDH, ECCHR and FIBGAR releases today their annual report on universal jurisdiction, Make way for Justice #3.
In 2016 alone, 13 States have made use of this principle in 47 cases – an unprecedented success.
“We registered a 30% increase with respect to 2015, showing that universal jurisdiction is gathering momentum.”
Make way for Justice #3 illustrates the need for States to establish specialized units and equip them with sufficient means.
“All the cases in the report prove that justice is achievable when States commit to it.”
Read Make way for Justice #3 (2016)
Make Way for Justice #3
to Download MakeWayForJustice#3.pdf (5.7 MiB)
