Germany strengthens its legal framework for universal jurisdiction and consolidates its role as a leader in international criminal justice
On June 6, 2024, the German Parliament approved a landmark legislative reform: the Law for the Development of International Criminal Law, which came into force in August of the same year. This measure represents a decisive step forward in strengthening universal jurisdiction in Germany and effectively protecting the rights of victims of international crimes.
The reform modernizes and expands the German legal framework for the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, regardless of where they were committed or the nationality of those responsible. This amendment also fills important legal gaps, especially with regard to sexual and gender-based violence, guaranteeing for the first time the active participation of victims in legal proceedings, as well as their access to free legal assistance and psychosocial support during the trial.
Another key aspect of the reform is the improvement of mechanisms for documenting evidence and preserving judicial proceedings, which facilitates access to information for both victims and civil society. These provisions reinforce the transparency and transformative impact of international criminal justice.
The practical application of this law was reflected in the landmark case of Alaa Mousa, a Syrian doctor sentenced in June 2025 to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in military hospitals in Syria during the armed conflict. The judicial process, held in Frankfurt, saw the active participation of surviving victims, whose voices were heard and protected under the new legal framework.
Germany has also implemented additional mechanisms to strengthen judicial efficiency in complex cases. Through a new legal provision, the Federal Court of Justice can now select representative cases in mass trials, allowing for more agile and effective management of cases related to international crimes.
The Universal Jurisdiction Annual Review 2025 report has highlighted this reform as one of the most important of the year in Europe, underscoring Germany’s commitment to consistency, access to justice, and the fight against impunity.
In an international context where the response to heinous crimes remains uneven and often conditioned by political interests, Germany is once again showing that it is possible to apply universal jurisdiction with consistency, transparency, and a focus on victims. This step not only strengthens its national legislation but also sends a clear message to the world that international criminal justice must be truly universal.
David Cañón Galán, FIBGAR collaborator
