Civitas Maxima is founded on the conviction that victims of international crimes must hold the keys to their own quest for justice.

OurVision

A world where all forgotten victims of international crimes have access to fair and impartial justice mechanisms, and perpetrators are held accountable.

Our Mission

Civitas Maxima facilitates the documentation of international crimes, and pursues the redress of such crimes on behalf of victims who do not have access to justice, by: 

(i) collaborating with and building the capacity of local grass-roots partners to document crimes in the state where those crimes were committed; 

(ii) coordinating a network of investigators and lawyers to help victims gain access to justice and hold perpetrators accountable before foreign domestic or international courts and tribunals, however, whenever and wherever possible;

(iii) generating awareness and informed debate around victims’ cases, with a view to empowering local communities to pursue their own quests for justice.

Our Name

Civitas Maxima – Together against international crimes.

Due to their scale and intensity, international crimes not only violate individual victims’ rights but also touch the humanity in all of us. In this context, the Latin term civitas maxima – which can be translated as ‘greatest citizenry’ – represents a call to do together, as citizens of the world, what we can to ensure justice for international crimes.

Based on the deeply held belief that there are no ‘others,’ Civitas Maxima envisages a global cooperation between victims, independent lawyers and investigators, and officials from state authorities regardless of nationality, ethnicity, political or religious affiliation, or other exclusionary factors.

Focus on International Justice
our new column

Each month, Civitas Maxima will publish an overview of what happened in the world of international criminal law around the world, with a focus on stories that did not make the headlines.

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Blog & Press Releases

Special War Crimes Court to be established in Liberia

Special War Crimes Court to be established in Liberia Monrovia, Liberia: On Thursday, May 2, 2024, the President of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, signed Executive Order No. 131 establishing an Office with the specific mandate of setting up a Special War Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court. According to the Order, this Office is…

International crimes never die (but their perpetrators age)

International crimes never die (but their perpetrators age) OPINION. International crimes have no statute of limitations, but what can be done when their perpetrators, sometimes tried decades after the fact, have become senile, mentally ill, and can no longer understand prosecution? asks Civitas Maxima’s lawyer Alain Werner. The most striking difference between the prosecution of…

Focus on International Justice – March

Focus on International Justice – March Ground-breaking appeal decision in the Kunti Kamara case On March 27th, the French Court of appeals, composed of three judges and nine jury members, found Kunti Kamara, former Liberian ULIMO commander, guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity and the commission of simple and aggravated acts of torture and…

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