International criminal law is a body of rules prohibiting grave human rights violations such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. These are crimes which are so serious they are seen as concerning the international community as a whole. This body of law makes the perpetrators of these crimes criminally liable for their actions. Prosecutions for these crimes can – depending on the case – be carried out on a national level or at an international tribunal such as the International Criminal Court.
Armed conflict
The Higher Regional Court in Stuttgart handed down convictions in the trial of two Rwandan leaders of the Hutu militia group FDLR, Ignace Murwanashyaka and Straton Musoni. The FDLR are alleged to have utilized sexualized violence against the Congolese civilian population and to have in numerous cases plundered, killed and inflicted grievous bodily injuries.
Armed conflict
Sri Lanka must comply with its international obligations in the fight against gender-based discrimination. The country should bring its law in line with the UN Convention on Women.
Torture
In December 2005, Wolfgang Kaleck, founder and general secretary of ECCHR, filed a criminal complaint against former Uzbek minister of interior Zakir Almatov, the Uzbek head of secret service Rustan Inojatov, and others to the Federal Public Prosecutor on behalf of eight Uzbek citizens because of torture and crimes against humanity.
