ECCHR - European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights

26/05/2026

21/05/2026

“Today you can see that I’m smiling!” .david and ECCHR’s Allison West reflect on day 2 of the ICC confirmation of charges hearing against El Hishri.

On day 2 we heard the Prosecution present evidence and arguments related to the crimes of persecution and enslavement. Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri is accused of 17 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed, ordered and overseen by him and co-perpetrators in Mitiga Prison, Tripoli.

Trapped, tortured and enslaved in this detention industry were both Libyan nationals and migrants and refugees. We also heard how international complicity enabled these structures to continue with impunity.

As the the pre-trial phase draws to a close, we await the final confirmation of charges and to see this move forward to trial.

Support us in the pursuit of accountability and justice!

20/05/2026

How was the first day in the courtroom? Reflections on the confirmation of charges hearing at the ICC against El Hishri. Survivors, such as .david courageously came to The Hague to insist justice be done and that it - and we all - go further.

In the hearing we heard harrowing evidence and excerpts from testimonies about the 17 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed, ordered and overseen by El Hishri and co-perpetrators in Mitiga Prison, Tripoli.

Trapped, tortured and enslaved in this detention industry were both Libyan nationals and migrants and refugees. We also heard how international complicity enabled these structures to continue with impunity.

It was a big day - as we move closer to proceedings in the first case in the ICC’s investigation into Libya.

These are excerpts from an evening event hosted by and with speakers including David Yambio ( ), Chantal Meloni (victim representation) and Allison West (Senior Legal Advisor, ECCHR).

A long-awaited step - but the hard work is still ahead.

20/05/2026

Reflections on the first day of hearing at the ICC in the confirmation of charges against El Hishri. Survivors, like David Yambio, courageously came to The Hague and into the courtroom to insist justice be done and that it - and we all - go further.
In the hearing we heard harrowing evidence and excerpts from testimonies about the 17 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed, ordered and overseen by El Hishri and co-perpetrators in Mitiga Prison, Tripoli.
Trapped, tortured and enslaved in this detention industry were both Libyan nationals and migrants and refugees. We also heard how international complicity enabled these structures to continue with impunity.
It was a big day - as we move closer to proceedings in the first case in the ICC’s investigation into Libya.
These are excerpts from an evening event in The Hague hosted by the CICC and FIDH with speakers including David Yambio (Refugees in Libya), Chantal Meloni (Lawyer victim representation) and Allison West (Senior Legal Advisor, ECCHR).

13/05/2026

What does it mean to work with international law today – in a world where it is not only broken by autocrats, but also by those who once upheld it?

At the presentation of our Annual Report on 18 May, artist Ahmed Isamaldin will discuss with Wolfgang Kaleck what it means to oppose the law of the strongest with the strength of the law.

In a second conversation, Şeyda Kurt, சிந்துஜன் வரதராஜா (Sinthujan Varatharajah), and Miriam Saage-Maaß take up this thread and ask what it means to live in worlds shaped by distant wars whose traces have long entered the ordinary.

Ahmed Isamaldin will present artistic research works on Sudan in our cafeteria: satellite images of gold mines and 3D models show how resource exploitation and war economies become visible when you take a closer look.

We invite you: to gain insight into our work, to join the discussion, and – of course – to enjoy a drink and a live DJ set.

The event will be held in English.

Please register for the event on our website.

📷 Şeyda Kurt: Harriet Meyer; சிந்துஜன் வரதராஜா (Sinthujan Varatharajah): Lilian Scarlet Löwenbrück; Miriam Saage Maaß & Wolfgang Kaleck: Nihad Nino Pušija

27/04/2026

Die Fälle Lafarge und Lumumba zeigen: Der Panzer der Straflosigkeit, hinter dem sich Unternehmensgewalt und koloniale Verbrechen verschanzen, ist in den vergangenen Wochen deutlich rissiger geworden.

Mehr dazu sowie zu anderen Fällen, unsere Veranstaltungen und Projekten in unserem kommenden Newsletter. Jetzt abonnieren! 👉 https://www.ecchr.eu/publikation-kategorie/newsletter/

21/04/2026

Schon im September 2025 haben wir Strafanzeige gegen den sog. "Gaza Sniper" eingereicht. Da die Bundesanwaltschaft seither nur "beobachtet", legen wir neue Beweise nach und fordern erneut: Der Verdacht der gezielten Tötungen unbewaffneter palästinensischer Zivilist*innen muss endlich ermittelt werden!

Angesichts des umfangreichen Materials ist für uns nicht nachvollziehbar, dass bislang nichts passiert ist.
Schon im Fall der deutsch-palästinensische Familie Kilani, die 2014 bei einem israelischen Luftangriff in Gaza getötet wurde, hat Deutschland sieben Jahre lang "vorermittelt" - ohne Ergebnis. Leaks zeigen: Israel hat aktiv darauf hingearbeitet, dass Deutschland die Ermittlungen einstellt.

Das darf sich im Fall Gaza Snipers nicht wiederholen. Deshalb fordern wir die Aufnahme personenbezogener Ermittlungen sowie ein sog. Strukturermittlungsverfahrens zu weiteren Verbrechen in Gaza.
Denn der Verdacht gezielter Tötungen palästinensischer Zivilist*innen geht über den Einzelfall hinaus. Zahlreiche Berichte weisen auf ähnliche Tötungen im Kontext der israelischen Kriegsführung hin. Strukturermittlungen würden Gewaltmuster analysieren, Beweise sichern, Opfer und Zeug*innen identifizieren.

Sowohl die fortgesetzten Verstöße – trotz der “Waffenruhe” – als auch die systematische Unwilligkeit der israelischen Justiz, Völkerstraftaten an Palästinenser*innen wirksam zu verfolgen, unterstreichen die Notwendigkeit einer solchen Ermittlung.

Auf Grundlage der Recherchen von .trail.media konnte dieser Fall rekonstruiert werden und fand international Beachtung. Die Strafanzeige haben wir gemeinsam mit , und eingereicht.

Links zum Fall des Gaza Snipers und der Berichterstattung, zum Fall Kilani sowie unseren Report zur Straflosigkeit in Israel findet ihr im Linktree in der Bio.

17/04/2026

Multinational Lafarge and four former senior executives were found guilty of financing terrorism in Syria by the Paris Criminal Court.

Lafarge, along with four former executives, was found guilty of financing terrorist groups – notably the Islamic State – totaling €5.5 million between 2013 and 2014 to keep its cement plant in Syria operational amidst the civil war, despite the risks to its employees.
The court ordered the maximum fine for the company and prison sentences ranging from three to six years for the former executives.

However, access to justice has once again been denied to the Syrian employees, who are still awaiting compensation.

Lafarge remains under investigation for complicity in crimes against humanity – a charge that goes beyond financing terrorism, as it concerns the fueling of the gravest crimes under international law. It is crucial that this case will be brought before a court.

16/04/2026

Landmark ruling in the fight for corporate accountability: Multinational Lafarge and four former senior executives were found guilty of financing terrorism in Syria by the Paris Criminal Court.
However, access to justice has once again been denied to the Syrian employees, who are still awaiting compensation.
Lafarge remains under investigation for complicity in crimes against humanity – a charge that goes beyond financing terrorism, as it concerns the fueling of the gravest crimes under international law. It is crucial that this case will be brought before a court.
As civil parties in this case, ECCHR and Sherpa will continue to support former Syrian employees and demand that justice be served.

Do you want more exclusive insights into the Lafarge verdict? Subscribe here to get our special newsletter on this landmark ruling. 👉 https://www.ecchr.eu/en/supporter-newsletter-subscription/