Germany

Protesters hold up placards and banners as they attend a demonstration in Sydney on June 23, 2021 to call on the Australian government to boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over China's human rights record. Signs read, “Boycott Beijing 2022” and “End the Uyghur Genocide”

Boycotting Beijing 2022: Accountability for the Next Olympics and Beyond

History has shown the dangers of allowing repressive regimes to gain legitimacy by hosting the Olympics. China should be held accountable.

Aug. 23, 2021 David M. Crane, Yonah Diamond and 1 more

People gather in the courtroom waiting to hear the verdict to Syrian defendant Eyad al-Gharib on February 24, 2021 in Koblenz, western Germany. Some people wear masks, but not all. Clear barriers are set up around each desk station.

A Drop in the Ocean: A Preliminary Assessment of the Koblenz Trial on Syrian Torture

April 23 marks one year since the start of the Syrian torture trial in Koblenz, Germany. It has already offered some preliminary lessons for future “universal jurisdiction”…

Apr. 22, 2021 Roger Lu Phillips

The building and grounds of Germany’s Federal Court of Justice. There is a grassy lawn with a fountain, trees lining the sides, and the building itself is centered.

On Functional Immunity of Foreign Officials and Crimes under International Law

Landmark judgment by Germany’s top criminal court on foreign officials' lack of immunity in war crimes trials. Analysis by renowned scholar, Professor Claus Kress.

Mar. 31, 2021 Claus Kress

A graphic illustration of Germany with a triangular grid pattern symbolizing virtual connections.

Germany’s Positions on International Law in Cyberspace Part II

Germany issues major statement on use of force and International Humanitarian Law in cyberspace, analyzed here by leading expert Professor Michael Schmitt.

Mar. 10, 2021 Michael Schmitt

A phone show the Garmin Connect software with an error message that reads, “Server Maintenance: Sorry, we are down for maintenance. Check back shortly.” and “We are currently experiencing an outage that affects Garmin.com and Garmin Connect. This outage also affects our call centers, and we are currently unable to receive any calls, emails, or online chats. We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible and apologize for this inconvenience.” A watch that is clearly not working and has a dark screen is shown next to the phone with these messages.

Germany’s Positions on International Law in Cyberspace Part I

Germany issues major statement on cyberspace and international law, analyzed here by leading expert Professor Michael Schmitt.

Mar. 9, 2021 Michael Schmitt

Members of the security forces walking at the site of a NATO airstrike which destroyed two fuel tankers hijacked by the Taliban in northern Kunduz on September 4, 2009.

Kunduz Airstrike Before European Court of Human Rights: Future of Jurisdiction and Duty to Investigate

The future of European Human Rights Court's jurisdiction and the future of States' duty to investigate civilian casualties in wartime.

Feb. 26, 2021 Chantal Meloni

Sri Lankan Army Major General Jagath Dias points to a map where security forces are located during a presentation for Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse at the city of Kilinochchi on April 16, 2009.

Universal Jurisdiction — the Most Difficult Path to Achieve Justice for Sri Lanka

The record shows that, if this is the only feasible route to accountability for now, countries will require additional support at the UN level to achieve accountability.

Feb. 24, 2021 Andreas Schüller

German Court Major Judgment on Foreign Officials’ Lack of Immunity in War Crimes Trials

A leading scholar explains landmark decision by Germany's highest criminal court.

Feb. 1, 2021 Claus Kress

Prosecutor Robert Jackson speaks at the Nuremberg Trials, 21 November 1945.

75 Years Ago at Nuremberg: Giving a Name to Crimes Against Humanity

The world has not come close to ending such heinous crimes, but the trials established the principle that perpetrators can and must be brought to justice.

Nov. 19, 2020 Menachem Z. Rosensaft

Members of the Central Committee of Liberated Jews in the British Zone of Germany walk past mass graves at Bergen-Belsen on the opening day of the Second Congress of Liberated Jews in the British zone, April 1947.

Asserting Their Jewish Identity: My Mother’s Testimony in the First Nazi War Crimes Trial, 75 Years Ago

A prosecutor in the Belsen Trial initially obscured the specific identity of the victims. That would change dramatically by the end.

Sep. 17, 2020 Menachem Z. Rosensaft

Left Photo: Syrian defendants Anwar Raslan (L), 57, and Eyad al-Gharib (R), 43, wait in the courtroom before the start of an unprecedented trial on state-sponsored torture in Syria, on April 23, 2020 at court in Koblenz, western Germany. Right Photo: German military in Afghanistan commander Colonel Georg Klein giving an interview to AFP on the September 4, 2009 airstrike carried out by NATO.

A Tale of German Global Criminal Justice: A TWAIL Perspective on the Syrian Torture Trial

A trial against Anwar Raslan and Eyad Al Gharib, two suspected (former) members of President Bashar al-Assad’s security services, began before the Higher Courts in Koblenz, Germany,…

Jun. 30, 2020 Thamil Ananthavinayagan

Activists Elke Koller and Hildegard Slabik-Münter hold a sign in German outside the perimeter to the Büchel air base on February 27, 2019 near Cochem, Germany.

Tensions With US Fuel Debate Over Germany’s Future Defense Strategy

Renewed questions over the US nuclear umbrella, NATO and a new fighter jet obscure the reality of the country's most likely options.

Jun. 23, 2020 Sophie Arts