Publications

UK law allows for the prosecution of international crimes under a principle known as ‘universal jurisdiction’. Universal jurisdiction allows the courts of any country to hold trials for crimes that ‘shock the conscience’ – including genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes – no matter where they occur. But legal constraints, practical challenges, and a lack of political will have meant that only three people have been convicted of such crimes in the UK – ever. This report sets out reforms that would close loopholes and allow for more successful cases to be brought in English courts against suspects of the most serious international crimes.

This new briefing paper by a coalition of international and Belarusian NGOs highlights the myriad challenges that prevent survivors of torture and other human rights violations from pursuing justice inside and outside Belarus. Since the 2020 presidential election, the human rights situation has significantly worsened; this briefing argues that hundreds of survivors of torture and other human rights violations have been denied their right to appeal or other remedies due to the failure by the Belarusian authorities to investigate hundreds of criminal complaints that have been filed domestically.

This report provides a detailed legal analysis concluding that the Egyptian authorities’ use of torture is so widespread and systematic as to amount to a crime against humanity under customary international law by which Egypt is bound. It was written by REDRESS in collaboration with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF), Dignity, the Committee for Justice (CFJ) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). A submission reflecting the findings of the report was submitted on 2 October 2023 to the UN Committee against Torture ahead of its review of Egypt’s record under the UN Convention against Torture that will take place on 14 and 15 November 2023.

The report sets out the context of the armed conflict in Sudan, the overarching legal framework that applies during the armed conflict, prima facie evidence of legal violations committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and accountability avenues or measures for these alleged violations and some of the obstacles likely to be encountered. We thank the German Federal Foreign Office for making the Arabic translation of this report possible.

This report summary highlights the key findings and recommendations of our report "Ruining A Country, Devastating Its People: Accountability for serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Sudan since 15 April 2023". The report sets out the context of the armed conflict, the overarching legal framework that applies during the armed conflict, prima facie evidence of legal violations committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and accountability avenues or measures for these alleged violations and some of the obstacles likely to be encountered. We thank the German Federal Foreign Office for making the Arabic translation of this summary report possible.

This quarterly briefing provides an overview of recent developments in the UK's use of its targeted sanctions regimes as of 1 September 2023.

This submission addresses the three questions posed by the CED and WGEID regarding short-term disappearances (SED) from the perspective of the prohibition on torture. Using examples from SED cases in which REDRESS has been involved, this submission discusses the concept of SED and their manifestations in Sudan and Egypt, evaluates the legal and practical circumstances that lead to SED, and enumerates safeguards against SED including recommendations for States and the CED and WGEID.

The ninth edition of our Bulletin features our recent event in London celebrating 30 years of REDRESS and other success stories related to our litigation, advocacy and legal research. One of these stories is the launch of the United Against Torture Consortium on 26 June, a ground-breaking initiative to challenge the widespread use of torture worldwide and provide much-needed support for survivors. REDRESS will work alongside five other international anti-torture NGOs and in collaboration with over 200 organisations in more than 100 countries, to present a united front to defeat torture.