Stephen Rapp, an American lawyer and diplomat, has been a leading figure in international criminal law and human rights. He was appointed as the US Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues in 2009, overseeing investigations and prosecutions of war criminals worldwide. Rapp’s commitment to justice and ending impunity was evident during his tenure, supporting [...]
Search Results for: Liberia civil war
Possible vehicle attack after Liberia presidential election leaves 2 dead, 18 injured
Two people were killed and at least eighteen others injured in Liberia after a Nissan taxi charged at them in the streets outside the country’s Unity Party headquarters late Monday evening, according to local media. While it is unclear whether or not the attack was intentional or an accident, it has been reported that the [...]
Switzerland appeals court upholds 20-year prison sentence for former Liberian warlord
The Federal Criminal Court of Switzerland on Thursday upheld former Liberian warlord Alieu Kosiah’s 20-year prison sentence for war crimes and convicted him of crimes against humanity, the first such conviction in Switzerland. Kosiah was initially convicted and sentenced for war crimes by the Trial Chamber of First Instance in 2021. In confirming Kosiah’s 20-year sentence, the [...]
Aiding and Abetting Russian International Crimes: The Crocodiles Are Watching
Aiding and abetting a crime has long been a societal sanction in domestic legal systems throughout the world. Within modern international criminal law, it is also a crime and a viable charge in any indictment. By way of a recent example, one only has to look at former President Charles Taylor of Liberia who is [...]
The Paris Criminal Court Wednesday sentenced former Liberian rebel commander Kunti Kamara to life in prison. The sentence followed a four-week trial with no material evidence presented. The prosecution relied on numerous witnesses and victims to testify to Kamara’s participation in or supervision of the abuses. Kamara stood accused of multiple crimes against humanity including [...]
War crimes trial against Liberian rebel commander Kunti Kamara commences in France
The Parisian Court of Appeals Monday commenced the trial of Kunti Kamara on charges of crimes against humanity, torture and acts of barbarity. Kamara allegedly committed these acts as a member of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO) in 1993 and 1994 during the First Liberian Civil War. He denies all allegations. [...]
Twenty years ago this week, pursuant to a UN Security Council resolution, the United Nations (UN) entered into a bi-lateral treaty with the Republic of Sierra Leone, to create the world’s first hybrid international war crimes tribunal, the Special Court for Sierra Leone. A delegation travelled to the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown, to hold [...]
Switzerland court hands down first conviction relating to Liberia civil war
A Swiss court on Friday handed down the first conviction over Liberia’s 1989-1996 civil war, sentencing Alieu Kosiah to 20 years in jail for various crimes, including rape, ordering murders, and cruel treatment of civilians. The federal prosecutor alleged that Kosiah, 46, had committed 25 war crimes. He was found guilty of all but four [...]
After the age of accountability in the 1990’s and early 21st century, there are certain lessons that have been learned since then. One of those lessons is that the beast of impunity must be faced down…always. International courts seeking justice for atrocity crimes in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone were beacons of light [...]
Explainer: What is temporary protective status (TPS) and why does it matter?
As the US Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments next week in Sanchez v. Mayorkas, an immigration case involving the impact of temporary protected status (TPS) with respect to lawful-permanent residency, JURIST’s latest explainer takes a deep dive into TPS and its implications under the new presidential administration. What is TPS and how does a [...]