Universal jurisdiction (UJ) is an important tool that can help advance criminal accountability for serious human rights violations. At the same time, practice has shown that UJ has intricasies and challenges that can be hard to navigate. For this reason, ECCHR has produced a series of three videos to introduce how UJ works in practice and the strategic decisions it entails. The videos provide viewers with a basis on how to bring a UJ complaint before the courts of another state.

The first video – UJ Basics – introduces the concept of UJ and the crimes it applies to, as well as some of its limitations. It also demonstrates the crucial role civil society can play in bringing complaints and supporting UJ cases. Next, video 2 – What you can achieve – highlights the different goals and aims one can have in bringing a UJ complaint, including goals beyond trials and convictions. It underscores the importance of a survivor-centered approach, with survivors being the ones to define what accountability should look like. Finally, video 3 – Case-building – looks at the practical decisions behind bringing a complaint. In particular, it discusses the different levels of perpetrators that co-exist in the same situation and the main questions that inform in which jurisdiction to bring a certain complaint. Throughout the videos, we highlight ECCHR’s experience through interviews on specific cases. A list of resources that expand on the themes discussed in the videos is available below.

The videos will be available in Arabic, French and English. They are intended for use as a learning tool for individuals and civil society organisations who are interested in the fight against impunity and wish to explore the possibility of bringing a UJ complaint.

In this video, we dive deeper into the steps of case building. First, we discuss perpetrator tracking and how to identify the different modes of liability, including corporate criminal responsibility. Then, we pose a series of guiding questions that can help you determine in which jurisdiction to bring your case. We discuss examples concerning the Central Mediterranean and Syria/France.

You will learn more about:

The steps in case building;
The importance of identifying and tracking perpetrators; and
How to identify the right jurisdiction to bring your case.

The “Universal Jurisdiction in Practice” series is part of our work in the Global Initiative Against Impunity. The Global Initiative is a civil-society-led consortium that seeks to enhance the participation of victims and civil society organizations in creating inclusive accountability processes. This four-year program is co-funded by the European Union.