Fisseha Tekle, Legal Advisor at Amnesty International, emphasised the importance of effective legal cooperation between states in the fight against international crimes. War crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, by their global nature, often involve different countries, victims, evidence and even perpetrators. State cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes is vitally important for ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to account.
Although countries have legal treaties to collaborate on issues of corruption and organized crime, the absence of a global convention on mutual collaboration regarding suspected war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity has not gone unnoticed. The proposed new treaty would be an effective tool to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable. It would also ensure that states investigate crimes under international law using their national legal systems and in cooperation with other countries.
The absence of such a convention has meant that international justice cannot be solely pursued by international institutions such as the International Criminal Court. Amnesty International has called on states in Ljubljana to negotiate and adopt a Convention that would be regarded as a widely acknowledged legal landmark, benefiting investigators and prosecutors, and ultimately contributing to justice for victims and survivors.
Negotiators are urged to prioritise the highest international law and human rights standards while developing the new treaty. In this respect, the broadest possible definition of crimes, the identification of victims, and enhancement of their rights, access to justice, truth and reparations should be incorporated. The promised improvement in the international legal framework for states investigation and prosecution of such crimes would be a significant step further for the nations developing systems for such prosecutions.
Many states in Europe have initiated their investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The proposed new treaty would make it possible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide to be identified, investigated, prosecuted and punished regardless of where it occurred, whether domestically, in another state or international criminal tribunal.
<< photo by Sora Shimazaki >>
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