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Gaza: Swiss Authorities and NGOs Investigate Gaza Humanitarian Foundation following TRIAL International’s legal submissions | In May 2025, TRIAL International filed two legal submissions with the Swiss authorities, against the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a Switzerland-registered organization and based in the United States. Although GHF claims to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza, serious concerns have been raised about the way this aid is delivered.
GHF has reportedly relied on private security firms to escort its convoys and secure distribution sites -a practice that contributes to the militarization of humanitarian aid, violates international humanitarian law, and endangers civilian lives. Following our actions, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) announced that it would review the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s use of private military companies. Meanwhile, the Swiss Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations (ASF) identified several compliance issues within GHF’s Swiss branch -including the lack of a Swiss-resident board member, no registered address, no bank account, and no auditing body. GHF subsequently announced the closure of its Swiss operations, claiming it had never been truly active in Switzerland and would now operate exclusively from the U.S. Due to the violence and chaos surrounding its aid distributions, we co-signed an open letter condemning the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s humanitarian model. The letter also warned that individuals and entities involved in planning, financing, or implementing the initiative could be held accountable for complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or even genocide. |
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| | Our latest Activity Report is out! |
In 2024, we launched an ambitious new program in Ukraine to support accountability efforts in the context of the ongoing conflict. We intensified our work to hold private military and security actors -who are frequently involved in conflict zones but rarely prosecuted for international crimes- accountable. We also continued extensive work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and supported a landmark case in Switzerland where a former Gambian minister was convicted of crimes against humanity. Read our activity report |
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| | Universal Jurisdiction in Argentina |
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| | Guidelines to Prosecuting Environmental International Crimes |
In May, TRIAL International and partners launched a pioneering initiative in Geneva to address the lack of specialized guidance currently exists on the Documentation and Investigation of Environmental International Crimes. A first expert consultation brought together legal practitioners, scientists, human rights defenders, civil society representatives, and international stakeholders. Together, they shaped the priorities and framework for the Guidelines. Learn more |
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Victims and Human Rights Defenders in the DRC Urgently Need Protection |
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Since the beginning of the year, violence has escalated in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. In February, large-scale prison breaks in Goma and Bukavu enabled former detainees -some convicted for international crimes- to join armed groups such as the M23 and the Wazalendo. As a result, victims, lawyers, human rights defenders, and others involved in holding these individuals accountable now face serious threats, including killing, torture, sexual violence, and extortion. In collaboration with Congolese partners, we have provided support to more than 150 individuals. However, existing protection mechanisms are overwhelmed. We urgently call on the Congolese authorities and international partners to take immediate action to ensure the safety of those at risk and to hold the perpetrators accountable. Learn more | | |
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Protiv Zaborava: A Platform for Memory and Justice |
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| | Thirty years after the wars in the former Yugoslavia -marked by grave human rights violations- the duty to remember remains essential. Our website, Protiv Zaborava, aims to document these crimes and preserve the memory of the victims, while also highlighting the transitional justice efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Visit the website |
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MakingJusticeWork.org: A Platform to Share Knowledge and Strengthen Justice |
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On the EU Day Against Impunity for Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, and War Crimes, the Global Initiative Against Impunity for International Crimes and Serious Human Rights Violations (GIAI) launched MakingJusticeWork.org. This new platform is designed to foster collaboration and facilitate knowledge-sharing among professionals working in the field of international justice. Co-funded by the European Union and developed in partnership with 11 organizations, it brings together over 400 legal and methodological resources. Explore the platform |
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Support Us! International justice is increasingly underfunded, while conflict and human rights violations continue to rise. Nearly 70% of our funding is public and now under threat. Your support is decisive in ensuring that victims are not forgotten and that justice is the same for all. * | | | * Donations from Switzerland, the U.S., and many European countries are tax-deductible. More |
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