Publications

REDRESS’ publications are also available in hard copy format. Please contact us for further information on [email protected].

Briefing Paper: Justice Without Borders: Ending Impunity for International Crimes in Europe through Universal Jurisdiction

The European Union has long prioritised accountability and the fight against impunity for serious international crimes within its justice and human rights agenda, with several Member States establishing specialised units to investigate and prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and related atrocities. Central to these efforts is the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows States to prosecute individuals for such crimes regardless of where they occurred or the nationality of those involved. This briefing paper, by REDRESS and the Global Initiative against Impunity and funded by the European Union, outlines how the European Union can use universal jurisdiction to end impunity for international crimes.

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Briefing Paper: EU Victims’ Rights Directive Revision

In June 2020, the European Commission adopted the European Union’s strategy on victims’ rights to improve access to justice for all victims of crime. Following the adoption of the strategy, the Commission was tasked with assessing whether a revision of the EU Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime (EU Victims’ Rights Directive, the Directive, or VRD) was necessary. This initiated the current process of the Directive’s revision. This briefing, by REDRESS and the Global Initiative Against Impunity and funded by the European Union, comments on the 24 May 2024 note of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union containing the latest draft of the proposed amendments and on the Directive itself.

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Briefing Paper: What Reparations for Hissène Habré’s Victims?

Since February 2024, the Chadian government has been engaged in a process of compensation for victims of the regime of former dictator Hissène Habré. But in spite of the urgent needs of the victims, the reparation process continues to drag on without resolution. This briefing briefly describes the (1) context, (2) the reparation process and its obstacles, (3) and proposes recommendations to allow for full and adequate reparation for the victims of the Habré regime.

Joint Statement: UN UPR Must Highlight Systematic Human Rights Violations including Torture, Enforced Disappearances, and Unfair Trials in Egypt

A joint statement from Egyptian and International human rights organisations calling on UN Member States to make comprehensive reforms that are urgently needed to address the systematic violations in Egypt.

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Briefing Paper: Recovering UK Assets Linked to Sanctions Violations as Reparation

This briefing proposes that fines and penalties imposed by UK enforcement for sanctions violations could be used to fund reparations for survivors of serious human rights abuses, humanitarian law violations, and corruption. It reviews recent UK sanctions enforcement cases, demonstrating how recovered assets and fines could be redirected to support survivors. The briefing also proposes legal and policy reforms to enable this repurposing and offers practical recommendations for allocating a share of fines and recovered assets for reparations.

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Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture on Hostage-Taking and Torture

This submission highlights the relationship between State hostage-taking and torture, demonstrating its severe impact on survivors and their families. Drawing on international standards and trends, it explores legal and practical measures to address this practice, hold perpetrators accountable, and secure redress for survivors. While focusing on the UK context, the submission offers insights and recommendations relevant to all States.

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Briefing Paper: Victims’ Rights at the International Criminal Court

The Victims' Rights Working Group (VRWG) published this briefing paper during a side-event at 23rd Session of the Assembly of State Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute. The paper identifies priority areas and key recommendations for the Court's strategy on victims' rights.

Briefing Paper: UK Law and the Torture Ban

This briefing paper outlines where UK legislation falls short of upholding the torture ban and makes recommendations on eight laws that should be repealed or amended to comply with international law. These recommendations are the result of our three decades of experience pursuing justice and reparation for survivors of torture, and have been developed in collaboration with the Survivor Advisory Group and the UK anti-torture movement.

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