War Crimes

The curious case of the US Sri Lanka sanctions
The curious case of the US Sri Lanka sanctions
In February, the United States imposed individual sanctions against Sri Lankan military chief Shavendra Silva, who is presently both the Acting Chief of Defence Staff and…
Film review: On Her Shoulders
Film review: On Her Shoulders
On Her Shoulders, a documentary film by Alexandria Bombach, follows young genocide survivor Nadia Murad in her global cause against sexual violence for which she was awarded …
Atrocities of April
Atrocities of April
The month of April is littered with reminders of how cruel the world can be and should motivate us to be vigilant about the potential for atrocity crimes in our own time. 24 April…
US undermines UN Security Council resolution against wartime rape
US undermines UN Security Council resolution against wartime rape
Overnight, the UN Security Council held its annual Open Debate on Conflict Related Sexual Violence. As current president of the Council, Germany hosted the debate. It has been…
Remembering Rwanda: small mercy from the horror of Kibeho
Remembering Rwanda: small mercy from the horror of Kibeho
What you don’t expect to see when you arrive at Kibeho are the eucalyptus trees. When Belgium ruled Rwanda, gum trees were planted across the colony to provide firewood. A small…
Violence in Myanmar: look elsewhere than Security Council
Violence in Myanmar: look elsewhere than Security Council
Last week the UN Security Council was briefed yet again on the situation in Myanmar. This time the message was presented by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy…
International justice: tackling impunity in Asia
International justice: tackling impunity in Asia
Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, high ranking officials of the Pol Pot regime, have been sentenced to life imprisonment twice over for their role in the genocide of the Cham Muslim…
End the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war
End the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war
Gender advocates cheered around the world last week, despite events in Washington and elsewhere putting a dampener on hope for gender equality. Nadia Murad and Dr Denis Mukwege…
The pain of hearing: Australia’s parliament recognises Yazidi genocide
The pain of hearing: Australia’s parliament recognises Yazidi genocide
Last week in the Australian Parliament, the House of Representatives agreed to a motion recognising the ISIS-perpetrated genocide of the Yazidi community in northern Iraq. The…
Syria: a plan to name and shame chemical weapons suspects
Syria: a plan to name and shame chemical weapons suspects
Last month, France hosted the launch of the International Partnership against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons. The effort is aimed at holding to account individuals…