Criminal complaint against TotalEnergies. Lafarge executives on trial. Stress test for international law.
Newsletter
2025
The Lafarge trial in Paris is drawing to a close, with survivors describing what it means to keep a war economy running – and new allegations of torture and killings in Mozambique are being made against TotalEnergies. Meanwhile in The Hague, international law is being put to a test that could prove historic: the extradition of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri opens the first International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings on crimes against humanity committed in Libya. This is a decisive moment, especially for migrant survivors, who must finally be included in proceedings – regardless of the documentation they hold or current location. The annual consultations of the ICC member states show how fiercely contested international criminal justice remains and yet how persistently it is standing up to political pressure.
This resonates with Walter Benjamin's idea that every second, the small gate can open through which “the Messiah” enters. Beyond religious ties, he reminds us that even inconspicuous moments can unleash a force that breaks down injustice and advances justice. With this confidence in the power of possibility and looking toward the future, we enter the new year together. Thank you for your interest and solidarity.
The ECCHR Team
