The International Law and Human Rights Program prepares this update on International Justice for informational purposes only. Any opinions expressed in articles contained in this update are not necessarily endorsed by PGA or any individual/s associated with PGA; nor does PGA or any individual/s associated with PGA vouch for the accuracy of the contents of these articles.
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Burkina Faso
On 2 April 2026, Human Rights Watch published a report documenting war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties to the conflict in Burkina Faso since 2023, including mass killings, widespread attacks on civilians, and forced displacement.
On 2 April 2026, the International Criminal Court announced that its Presidency had referred Italy’s failure to cooperate with the Court to the Assembly of States Parties, after Pre-Trial Chamber I found that Italy had breached its obligations under the Rome Statute by failing to arrest and surrender Mr. Njeem, a Libyan general wanted for alleged war crimes, while he was on Italian territory.
On 2 April 2026, Amnesty International reported that Iranian authorities are recruiting and deploying child soldiers as young as 12 into a military campaign, putting them in grave danger and violating international humanitarian law.
On 3 April 2026, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch warned that, amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, leaders are showing blatant disregard for international law and the safety of civilians, risking complicity in war crimes. He urged governments to speak out in defense of justice and accountability for such crimes.
On 7 April 2026, Rwanda began a week of commemorations marking 32 years since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, during which approximately 1 million people were killed over 100 days by Hutu extremists.
On 13 April 2026, more than 100 international law experts signed an open letter warning that U.S. strikes on Iran clearly violate the United Nations Charter and raise serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law and potential war crimes.
On 10 April 2026, UN human rights experts welcomed Spain's decision to establish a Truth Commission to investigate human rights violations committed during the Spanish Civil War and Franco dictatorship, calling it a historic step toward truth, redress and reparations for victims.
On 7 April 2026, Rohingya activists and rights groups filed a criminal case against Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing, accusing him of committing genocide against the Rohingya, including mass rape, arson, torture, and persecution. Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office formally accepted the case under the country’s new penal code, which incorporates the principle of universal jurisdiction.
