Search
Advanced search

National tribunals

The country administers justice itself

National courts are the pillars of justice within each country, responsible for applying laws and delivering fair judgments for offenses ranging from civil disputes to the most serious crimes. Their functioning reflects the diversity of legal systems around the world and plays a central role in protecting citizens' rights, maintaining public order, and promoting justice. Justice Info covers the prosecutions and trials conducted before these national courts when they pertain to crimes under international law.

Trial for the recruitment of child soldiers in Colombia. Photo: Judge Lily Rueda of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) announces the indictment of former FARC leaders.
9 min 33

FARC leadership accused of war crimes over child soldiers

The phenomenon of child soldiers was historically a less visible crime to Colombians than kidnapping. It is now at the centre of the second indictment by Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) against the leadership of former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. And it took a couple of hours after the JEP's announcement for the […]
By Andrés Bermúdez Liévano (our correspondent in Colombia)
Read more
Ndélé 1 trial before the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic: the 4 defendants line up at the bar in orange prison garb.

Central African Republic: the end of the trial of the four rebels who “did nothing’

Balakliya's ‘ordinary man’, Anatoliy Derevyanko, during his trial for collaboration in Ukraine. Photo: Balakliya stands behind the glass in the dock.

The Balakliya “ordinary man” released on probation

Trial of Mykola Fedorian in Ukraine for crimes of treason committed in Russian-occupied Crimea. Photo: Fedorian at his trial in Kyiv, behind the glass of the dock.

“I consider it cynical to accuse Crimeans of treason against Ukraine”

Andryi Kostin, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, tendered his resignation on 22 October 2024 following a corruption scandal that has cast a shadow over the entire justice system in Ukraine. Photo: portrait of Kostin, a Ukrainian flag printed on his shoulder.

Ukraine: the scandal behind the resignation of the Prosecutor General

The “Azov” trial in Russia is down to 12 defendants in court

In a street in Boutcha, Ukraine, journalists filmed and photographed burnt corpses being handled by people to move them.

Meet Ukraine’s Evidence Gatherers

Guantánamo: the American prison (in Cuba) where torture is still practised along with various other violations of human rights (or of the Law in general). Photo: a prisoner in an orange uniform is photographed from a distance, behind barbed wire, surrounded by soldiers.

Guantánamo: legacy of torture and abuse still haunts America

Oleg Myzhgorodskyi, an alleged member of the Ukrainian ‘Azov’ regiment, is accused of ‘terrorism’ in a trial in Russia. Photo: 2 side-by-side portraits of Myzhgorodskyi, in 2021 (before detention) and in 2023.

Chernihiv waits for its “Azov” fighters on trial in Russia

Trial of private entrepreneurs for collaboration with Russia in Ukraine. Photo: During a trial in Ukraine, a witness appears from behind, facing a judge in a small courtroom.

How Ukraine brings to justice private entrepreneurs

Joseph Boakai, the President of Liberia, is having difficulty choosing the head of the war crimes tribunal. Photo: Boakai delivers a speech.

Why it is so hard to appoint a director for Liberia’s war crimes court

Russia: persecution of LGBT people - Photo: artistic creation by Inna Mosina showing an almost naked woman lying in the middle of a pile of old televisions that have been turned off or whose images are blurred.

LGBT people in Russia: searching for an internal enemy

Daniil Martynov in Ukraine - Photo: Two armed soldiers pose (thumbs up) in front of the back of a Porsche.

A Kadyrov brother-in-arms sentenced in Ukraine

Trial of Colonel Mejía before the JEP in Colombia.

Colombia’s first transitional justice adversarial trial opens

Bora Colley (ex-Jungler) has surrendered to the authorities in Gambia.

Gambia: why “Jungler” Bora Colley turned himself in after eight years

Persecution of LGBTQ people: a crime against humanity? Photo: in Uganda, a gay activist wears a mask on which he has stuck a rainbow flag.

Persecution of LGBTQ, a crime against humanity?

Chiquita trial - Photo: a promotional stand featuring only Chiquita bananas. At the very top, the brand's mascot. At the front of the booth, a large button and a sign reading “Push to start the show”.

Lessons from the Chiquita Trial (2): The Battle of Experts

Chiquita trial in Florida - Photo: an employee of banana multinational Chiquita works in a factory in Colombia (Uruba).

Insights from the Chiquita trial (1): 25 years of struggle

The parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) opposed support for a special court for Gambia under Yahya Jammeh. Photo: bird's-eye view of the parliament's main chamber.

Why Gambia suffered a setback at Ecowas Parliament for Special Tribunal