• Human Rights and International Justice

    Human Rights Watch considers international justice—accountability for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity—to be an essential element of building respect for human rights. We actively engage with the work of the International Criminal Court and other international tribunals as well as the efforts of national courts, including in Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bosnia, to bring perpetrators of the worst crimes to justice. Human Rights Watch also supports the efforts of national courts to use their domestic laws to try those charged with serious crimes in violation of international law, regardless of where the crimes occurred.

  • Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is seen sitting in a plane in Zintan.
    © 2011 Reuters
    ICC: Libya's Bids to Try Gaddafi, Sanussi

    On February 26, 2011, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1970 by a vote of 15-0 referring the situation in Libya to the ICC. Under the Rome Statute, the ICC's founding treaty, the Security Council may refer a situation in any country to the ICC prosecutor under its Chapter VII mandate if it determines that the situation threatens international peace and security.

More news »

Featured Content

Subscribe to content feed

Reports

More >>

International Justice

  • Senegal: Hissène Habré in Police Custody
    Jun 30, 2013

    The placing of Hissène Habré, Chad’s former dictator, into police custody in Senegal on June 30 is a milestone in thelong campaign to bring him to justice.

  • Where Obama Isn’t Going
    Jun 30, 2013
    President Barack Obama’s second presidential visit to Africa kicks off in Senegal, with stops in South Africa and Tanzania. This is a good regional mix highlighting the development and governance successes that are likely to be main themes of his trip. Senegal’s peaceful political transition is additional incentive.
  • Guinea: Minister Charged for Alleged Role in Stadium Massacre
    Jun 28, 2013
    On June 27, investigative judges overseeing the investigation into the September 2009 killing and rape of opposition members, charged Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Pivi for his role in the crimes. The charges against Pivi, the minister for presidential security, represents a significant step forward for justice in Guinea.
  • Justice delayed for Chad
    Jun 25, 2013

    When President Obama visits Senegal this week, he will have the opportunity to show his support for a bold initiative to bring to justice the dictator responsible for torturing me and thousands of my countrymen.

  • Human Rights in Sudan
    Jun 19, 2013
  • Sierra Leone: Investigate Alleged Rebel Arms Supplier
    Jun 19, 2013

     The Sierra Leone authorities should open a criminal investigation of a suspected arms supplier for his alleged involvement in international crimes during Sierra Leone’s civil war. This would be Sierra Leone’s first purely domestic prosecution in relation to war crimes or crimes against humanity committed during its 11-year armed conflict, which ended in 2002.
     

  • Sudan: Satellite Images Confirm Villages Destroyed
    Jun 18, 2013
    Satellite images confirm the wholesale destruction of villages in Central Darfur in an attack in April 2013 by a militia leader sought by the International Criminal Court
  • UN Human Rights Council: Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Côte d'Ivoire
    Jun 11, 2013
    Human Rights Watch welcomes the willingness of the government of Côte d’Ivoire to renew the Independent Expert’s mandate, demonstrating its commitment to improve the country’s human rights situation and to implement the Independent Expert’s recommendations. The Independent Expert has repeatedly stressed that impartial justice is essential to end the country’s decade-long human rights crisis.
  • UN Human Rights Council: Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Syria
    Jun 4, 2013
    Human Rights Watch is deeply concerned by the escalating level of violence in Syria.In particular, we express grave concern for the safety of the remaining civilian population in al-Qusayr as well as wounded and captured fighters on all sides. Local opposition activists told Human Rights Watch that recent government attacks on fleeing civilians, including a reported attack on May 31, have made it difficult to escape and put remaining civilians, including many wounded, at great risk.
  • Sudan: ICC Suspect at Scene of Fresh Crimes
    Jun 3, 2013
    A Sudanese commander wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) led or participated in deadly attacks on ethnic Salamat communities in Central Darfur during April 2013. Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that the attackers appeared to include government forces using government weapons and equipment.
more documents on this topic »