Universal jurisdiction
Trying people wherever they are, whatever their nationality
Universal jurisdiction enables national judicial systems to try individuals, regardless of their nationality or the place where the crimes were committed. This justice approach deals with international crimes committed a long time ago, as during the civil wars in Liberia, or when no other jurisdiction, international or national, is able or willing to try them,, as in the case of Syria. As with the trials of Rwandans in several European countries (for genocide), the trial of Gambian Ousman Sonko (accused of crimes against humanity in Switzerland) or of Chadian Hissein Habré, tried and convicted in Senegal (for crimes committed in Chad in the 1980s). Discover universal jurisdiction through the news documented by our experts.
Crimes in Palestine: Belgian justice takes an interest in its dual nationals
Belgium is investigating two cases of war crimes committed in Gaza and the West Bank, under its universal jurisdiction. The latest case is causing a stir: a Belgian-Israeli sniper is suspected of being the perpetrator or co-perpetrator of murders of civilians in Gaza, a Palestinian territory invaded by the Israeli army since the Hamas attack […]
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