Bolstering international criminal investigations
In a recent publication, CIJA Executive Director, William Wiley and CIJA Chief Analyst, Ewan Brown examine the challenges faced by international prosecutors responsible for the investigation of complex crimes. The authors, both of whom have decades of experience in international investigations, review the investigative practices of the ICTY, ICTR and ICC, analysing both their strengths and shortcomings. The article notes that current international justice institutions have failed to heed the lessons of their predecessors thereby perpetuating poor judicial outcomes. Drawing on the authors´ rich experience gathered in international courts and tribunals as well as CIJA, the authors outline strategies for effective staffing, planning and management of the collection of crime base as well as linkage evidence, arguing for innovation in the gathering of contextual evidence and for more robust evidence review processes in complex criminal investigations.
Reference: Ewan Brown and William H. Wiley, “International Criminal Investigative Collection Planning, Collection Management and Evidence Review”, in Xabier Agirre Aranburu, Morten Bergsmo, Simon De Smet and Carsten Stahn (editors), Quality Control in Criminal Investigation, Torkel Opsahl Academic EPublisher, Brussels, 2020
In a recent publication, CIJA Executive Director, William Wiley and CIJA Chief Analyst, Ewan Brown examine the challenges faced by international prosecutors responsible for the investigation of complex crimes. The authors, both of whom have decades of experience in international investigations, review the investigative practices of the ICTY, ICTR and ICC, analysing both their strengths and shortcomings. The article notes that current international justice institutions have failed to heed the lessons of their predecessors thereby perpetuating poor judicial outcomes. Drawing on the authors´ rich experience gathered in international courts and tribunals as well as CIJA, the authors outline strategies for effective staffing, planning and management of the collection of crime base as well as linkage evidence, arguing for innovation in the gathering of contextual evidence and for more robust evidence review processes in complex criminal investigations.
Reference: Ewan Brown and William H. Wiley, “International Criminal Investigative Collection Planning, Collection Management and Evidence Review”, in Xabier Agirre Aranburu, Morten Bergsmo, Simon De Smet and Carsten Stahn (editors), Quality Control in Criminal Investigation, Torkel Opsahl Academic EPublisher, Brussels, 2020
The CIJA Model – an example of public-private partnership in justice
CIJA’s origins, mandate, operational modus operandi, leadership and staffing are forensically explored in CIJA Executive Director Dr William H. Wiley’s contribution to Quality Control in Fact-Finding. The chapter examines the key challenges plaguing the field of international criminal justice – chief among them the inability of public sector bodies to physically access areas amid ongoing conflict and collect the evidence required for successful criminal prosecutions. “The system of international(ised) criminal justice might be saved in something like its current form – and indeed strengthened – only through the establishment of effective public–private partnerships at the investigative stage,” Dr Wiley writes in the 44-page chapter. Civil society actors can provide the agility and cost effectiveness which public sector bodies such as international(ised) courts often lack, however they need to have the capacity and willingness to work to a criminal-evidence standard in service of public sector bodies. The article also details CIJA’s relationship with public sector investigative and prosecutorial authorities, noting their eagerness to explore this shift in power dynamic as demonstrated by increasing requests for assistance as well as use of CIJA evidence in the courtrooms.
Reference: William H. Wiley, “International(ised) Criminal Justice at a Crossroads: The Role of Civil Society in the Investigation of Core International Crimes and the ‘CIJA Model´” in Morten Bergsmo and Carsten Stahn (editors), Quality Control in Fact-Finding, Second Edition, Torkel Opsahl Academic EPublisher, Brussels, 2020
CIJA’s origins, mandate, operational modus operandi, leadership and staffing are forensically explored in CIJA Executive Director Dr William H. Wiley’s contribution to Quality Control in Fact-Finding. The chapter examines the key challenges plaguing the field of international criminal justice – chief among them the inability of public sector bodies to physically access areas amid ongoing conflict and collect the evidence required for successful criminal prosecutions. “The system of international(ised) criminal justice might be saved in something like its current form – and indeed strengthened – only through the establishment of effective public–private partnerships at the investigative stage,” Dr Wiley writes in the 44-page chapter. Civil society actors can provide the agility and cost effectiveness which public sector bodies such as international(ised) courts often lack, however they need to have the capacity and willingness to work to a criminal-evidence standard in service of public sector bodies. The article also details CIJA’s relationship with public sector investigative and prosecutorial authorities, noting their eagerness to explore this shift in power dynamic as demonstrated by increasing requests for assistance as well as use of CIJA evidence in the courtrooms.
Reference: William H. Wiley, “International(ised) Criminal Justice at a Crossroads: The Role of Civil Society in the Investigation of Core International Crimes and the ‘CIJA Model´” in Morten Bergsmo and Carsten Stahn (editors), Quality Control in Fact-Finding, Second Edition, Torkel Opsahl Academic EPublisher, Brussels, 2020
CIJA contributes to expert volume on Integrity in International Justice
CIJA’s Executive Director, Dr William H Wiley, has used his rich experience in the international criminal justice system to analyse some of the underlying reasons for poor output of investigative divisions of international courts and tribunals. In an article published in the Torkel Opsahl Academic EPublisher volume Integrity in International Justice, Dr Wiley examines the relationship between leadership and management of international criminal investigative bodies and their effective performance, most specifically in the context of the conduct of complex criminal investigations.
Informed by Dr Wiley’s professional experience with the formative institutions of the era, including the ICTY, the ICTR and the ICC, the discussion considers the roots of international criminal investigative insufficiency. The chapter identifies the importance of institutional loyalty as an essential feature of an effective prosecutorial effort and demonstrates how failures of discipline serve to undermine the proper functioning of offices of the prosecutor and, most especially, their investigations divisions. Through a careful consideration of examples of successful as well as insufficient leadership witnessed at the ICTY, the ICTR and the ICC, the chapter illuminates the necessary intersection of strong leadership and professional integrity in the execution of effective international criminal investigations.
Integrity in International Justice is part of The Nuremberg Academy Series of publications on international law and features chapters by Richard Goldstone, Brigid Inder and Karim Khan among others.
Reference: William H. Wiley, “Effective Leadership, Management and Integrity in International Criminal Investigations”, in Morten Bergsmo and Viviane E. Dittrich (editors), Integrity in International Justice, Torkel Opsahl Academic EPublisher, Brussels, 2020
CIJA’s Executive Director, Dr William H Wiley, has used his rich experience in the international criminal justice system to analyse some of the underlying reasons for poor output of investigative divisions of international courts and tribunals. In an article published in the Torkel Opsahl Academic EPublisher volume Integrity in International Justice, Dr Wiley examines the relationship between leadership and management of international criminal investigative bodies and their effective performance, most specifically in the context of the conduct of complex criminal investigations.
Informed by Dr Wiley’s professional experience with the formative institutions of the era, including the ICTY, the ICTR and the ICC, the discussion considers the roots of international criminal investigative insufficiency. The chapter identifies the importance of institutional loyalty as an essential feature of an effective prosecutorial effort and demonstrates how failures of discipline serve to undermine the proper functioning of offices of the prosecutor and, most especially, their investigations divisions. Through a careful consideration of examples of successful as well as insufficient leadership witnessed at the ICTY, the ICTR and the ICC, the chapter illuminates the necessary intersection of strong leadership and professional integrity in the execution of effective international criminal investigations.
Integrity in International Justice is part of The Nuremberg Academy Series of publications on international law and features chapters by Richard Goldstone, Brigid Inder and Karim Khan among others.
Reference: William H. Wiley, “Effective Leadership, Management and Integrity in International Criminal Investigations”, in Morten Bergsmo and Viviane E. Dittrich (editors), Integrity in International Justice, Torkel Opsahl Academic EPublisher, Brussels, 2020
Laws to catch human-rights abusers are growing teeth
The Economist’s deep dive on the growing application of universal jurisdiction as a means to secure accountability for serious crimes in Syria and the role of CIJA evidence in domestic efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
The Economist’s deep dive on the growing application of universal jurisdiction as a means to secure accountability for serious crimes in Syria and the role of CIJA evidence in domestic efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
SYRIAN TRIAL IN GERMANY: THE ORDERS THAT CAME FROM THE VERY TOP
JusticeInfo reports on the two-day testimony of CIJA Director for Investigations and Operations before the Higher Regional Court in Koblenz and discussed the significance of CIJA-secured linkage evidence in the investigation of Anwar Ruslan.
Read More: Syrian trial in Germany: The orders that came from the very top - JusticeInfo.net
JusticeInfo reports on the two-day testimony of CIJA Director for Investigations and Operations before the Higher Regional Court in Koblenz and discussed the significance of CIJA-secured linkage evidence in the investigation of Anwar Ruslan.
Read More: Syrian trial in Germany: The orders that came from the very top - JusticeInfo.net
CIJA testifies in case of Anwar Raslan
CIJA’s director of operations and investigations Chris Engels, testified as an expert and fact witness in the case of Anwar Raslan, former Syrian regime official on trial in Koblenz. During a two-day testimony, CIJA testified on structures of the regime security intelligence agencies and issues specific to the accused’s role as chief of interrogations in branches 285 and 251 of the General Intelligence Directorate. The testimony was based on CIJA’s investigative and analytical work in Syria since 2012 during which over one million pages of evidence were collected. In 2017 CIJA compiled a case file pertaining to Raslan’s criminal responsibility, updating it in 2018 and sharing it with German authorities. The cooperation on the case continued in the lead up to Raslan’s arrest in 2019 and his start of trial in April this year. CIJA’s testimony relied on documents and testimony of insider witnesses. A number of documents, including those bearing the accused’s signature, were handed over to the Koblenz court.
CIJA’s investigative work in Syria and Iraq has already led to a number of convictions in European and US courts. CIJA continues supporting over 30 law enforcement agencies in 13 countries in their investigative work regarding Syrian regime and Da’esh perpetrators having answered over 500 requests for assistance pertaining to 1000 persons of interests in the last five years.
CIJA’s director of operations and investigations Chris Engels, testified as an expert and fact witness in the case of Anwar Raslan, former Syrian regime official on trial in Koblenz. During a two-day testimony, CIJA testified on structures of the regime security intelligence agencies and issues specific to the accused’s role as chief of interrogations in branches 285 and 251 of the General Intelligence Directorate. The testimony was based on CIJA’s investigative and analytical work in Syria since 2012 during which over one million pages of evidence were collected. In 2017 CIJA compiled a case file pertaining to Raslan’s criminal responsibility, updating it in 2018 and sharing it with German authorities. The cooperation on the case continued in the lead up to Raslan’s arrest in 2019 and his start of trial in April this year. CIJA’s testimony relied on documents and testimony of insider witnesses. A number of documents, including those bearing the accused’s signature, were handed over to the Koblenz court.
CIJA’s investigative work in Syria and Iraq has already led to a number of convictions in European and US courts. CIJA continues supporting over 30 law enforcement agencies in 13 countries in their investigative work regarding Syrian regime and Da’esh perpetrators having answered over 500 requests for assistance pertaining to 1000 persons of interests in the last five years.
Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice in Syria: Gaps and Ways to Address Them
The research paper by Sama Nassar of Urnammu for Justice and Human Rights and Iavor Rangelov of the London School of Economics assesses the ongoing effort to document human rights violations committed in Syria and considers the role of CIJA in furthering criminal-justice accountability.
Read More: Documenting_HR_and_TJ_in_Syria_updated_Nov2020.pdf (lse.ac.uk)
The research paper by Sama Nassar of Urnammu for Justice and Human Rights and Iavor Rangelov of the London School of Economics assesses the ongoing effort to document human rights violations committed in Syria and considers the role of CIJA in furthering criminal-justice accountability.
Read More: Documenting_HR_and_TJ_in_Syria_updated_Nov2020.pdf (lse.ac.uk)
Countless Brave Syrian Activists Made the Koblenz Torture Trial Possible
Mansour Omari writes about the work of CIJA Syria investigators in collecting evidence now made available in criminal trials, such as the one against Anwar Ruslan in Koblenz, Germany.
Mansour Omari writes about the work of CIJA Syria investigators in collecting evidence now made available in criminal trials, such as the one against Anwar Ruslan in Koblenz, Germany.
CIJA publishes its first Annual Report, 2019-2020
CIJA’s Annual Report 2019 – 2020 highlights our effort to support the prosecution of members of the Syrian Regime and IS through independent investigations to collect and prevent the loss of vital evidence.
CIJA’s Annual Report 2019 – 2020 highlights our effort to support the prosecution of members of the Syrian Regime and IS through independent investigations to collect and prevent the loss of vital evidence.
Podcast: Private Investigations with Nerma Jelacic
CIJA Director Nerma Jelacic sits down with the hosts of Asymmetrical Haircuts to talk about the CIJA Model of investigations and how it is assisting law enforcement agencies and international justice bodies pursuing accountability for core international crimes.
Read More: Episode 28 – Private Investigations with Nerma Jelacic – asymmetrical haircuts
CIJA Director Nerma Jelacic sits down with the hosts of Asymmetrical Haircuts to talk about the CIJA Model of investigations and how it is assisting law enforcement agencies and international justice bodies pursuing accountability for core international crimes.
Read More: Episode 28 – Private Investigations with Nerma Jelacic – asymmetrical haircuts
How U.S. Sanctions Can Crack the Syrian Regime
Foreign Affairs examines how evidence of mass atrocity in Syria, including that secured by CIJA, led to the adoption of the US Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (2019).
Read More: How U.S. Sanctions Can Crack the Syrian Regime | Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs examines how evidence of mass atrocity in Syria, including that secured by CIJA, led to the adoption of the US Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (2019).
Read More: How U.S. Sanctions Can Crack the Syrian Regime | Foreign Affairs
The search for Syrian war criminals in Europe
Harper’s Magazine reports on the search of former ranking officers of the Syrian regime suspected of crimes against humanity in Europe and details CIJA’s assistance to war crimes units across the continent.
Read More: [Letter from Germany] In Plain Sight, By Annie Hylton | Harper's Magazine
Harper’s Magazine reports on the search of former ranking officers of the Syrian regime suspected of crimes against humanity in Europe and details CIJA’s assistance to war crimes units across the continent.
Read More: [Letter from Germany] In Plain Sight, By Annie Hylton | Harper's Magazine
Innovations in investigating sexual and gender-based violence through private investigations
The widespread and systematic use of sexual and gender-based violence is a defining feature of the Syria and Iraq conflicts. CIJA Senior Advisor on sexual and gender-based violence, Stephanie Barbour, has contributed to a Special Issue of the Journal of International Criminal Justice dedicated to this critical theme entitled Justice and Accountability for Sexual Violence in Conflict: Progress and Challenges in National Efforts to Address Impunity. The expert contribution offers an unprecedented look at CIJA’s pioneering work on documenting and investigating sexual offences committed by the Syrian military and security apparatus and Islamic State. An invaluable resource for international justice practitioners, the article examines CIJA’s case-building strategy and outlines some of the innovations, good practices and lessons learned in response to challenges arising in sexual offence investigation, such as socio-cultural barriers to effective investigation of SGBV, the risk of creating SGBV silos, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of national investigators.
The Special Issue – jointly presented by the Journal of International Criminal Justice and the UN Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict – is published in commemoration of the tenth-year anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1888 (2009), which established the UN Team of Experts.
Reference: Stephanie Barbour, “Supporting Accountability for Sexual Violence in the Syria and Iraq Conflicts: Innovations, Good Practices, and Lessons Learned through Private Criminal Investigations”, Journal of International Criminal Justice, Volume 18, Issue 2, May 2020, Pages 397–423.
The widespread and systematic use of sexual and gender-based violence is a defining feature of the Syria and Iraq conflicts. CIJA Senior Advisor on sexual and gender-based violence, Stephanie Barbour, has contributed to a Special Issue of the Journal of International Criminal Justice dedicated to this critical theme entitled Justice and Accountability for Sexual Violence in Conflict: Progress and Challenges in National Efforts to Address Impunity. The expert contribution offers an unprecedented look at CIJA’s pioneering work on documenting and investigating sexual offences committed by the Syrian military and security apparatus and Islamic State. An invaluable resource for international justice practitioners, the article examines CIJA’s case-building strategy and outlines some of the innovations, good practices and lessons learned in response to challenges arising in sexual offence investigation, such as socio-cultural barriers to effective investigation of SGBV, the risk of creating SGBV silos, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of national investigators.
The Special Issue – jointly presented by the Journal of International Criminal Justice and the UN Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict – is published in commemoration of the tenth-year anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1888 (2009), which established the UN Team of Experts.
Reference: Stephanie Barbour, “Supporting Accountability for Sexual Violence in the Syria and Iraq Conflicts: Innovations, Good Practices, and Lessons Learned through Private Criminal Investigations”, Journal of International Criminal Justice, Volume 18, Issue 2, May 2020, Pages 397–423.
Investigators build a case for IS crimes against Yazidis
Granted access to evidence amassed by CIJA, Associated Press maps the system of slavery
implemented by Islamic State following its assault on Iraq’s Yazidi community in August
2014. CIJA’s investigations have identified 49 prominent IS figures involved in establishing
and managing the group’s heinous operation.
Granted access to evidence amassed by CIJA, Associated Press maps the system of slavery
implemented by Islamic State following its assault on Iraq’s Yazidi community in August
2014. CIJA’s investigations have identified 49 prominent IS figures involved in establishing
and managing the group’s heinous operation.
Alleged Syrian war criminals face landmark trial in Germany
Alleged Syrian war criminals face landmark trial in Germany
Germany opens landmark trial of Syrian regime officers accused of crimes against humanity
As covered by CNN, evidence compiled by CIJA is being relied upon at a landmark trial in Germany against Colonel Anwar Raslan, the first case being brought against a senior member of the Syrian regime. Indicted alongside Ayad al-Ghareeb, Raslan is accused of overseeing the torture of at least 4,000 prisoners before he fled Syria for Europe in late 2012.
As covered by CNN, evidence compiled by CIJA is being relied upon at a landmark trial in Germany against Colonel Anwar Raslan, the first case being brought against a senior member of the Syrian regime. Indicted alongside Ayad al-Ghareeb, Raslan is accused of overseeing the torture of at least 4,000 prisoners before he fled Syria for Europe in late 2012.
European cases to test the reach of prosecuting Syria war crimes
European cases to test the reach of prosecuting Syria war crimes
If a Torturer Switches Sides, Does He Deserve Mercy?
If a Torturer Switches Sides, Does He Deserve Mercy?
Repatriating Foreign Fighters from Syria: International Law and Political Will
Repatriating Foreign Fighters from Syria: International Law and Political Will