European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) has thrown its weight behind the probe of serious human rights violations and summary killings in West Africa.
Towards this end, the first meeting of the ‘Regional Network for the Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes in Western Africa’ was held this week in Dakar, Senegal.
In attendance to advance collaboration on international crimes were representatives of the region’s judicial and law enforcement authorities, civil society organisations, and foreign stakeholders.
Eurojust Vice-President Margarita Šniutytė-Daugėlienė, in her address to the gathering, highlighted the importance of using a wide range of national legislation when dealing with international crimes.
She said court inquiries into international crimes help to better capture and establish the truth about the harm done to entire communities of victims and survivors.
“It enables societies to work towards recognition and reconciliation, and to promote sustainable and lasting peace,” Šniutytė-Daugėlienė noted.
Representatives from France, the Netherlands, and Sweden—states with long-term experience in probing and prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes—presented examples of cases and efforts.
In separate remarks, civil society leaders described how their documentation can contribute to national authorities’ tasks, while international stakeholders outlined lessons learned from criminal justice processes.
A joint declaration setting up the network was issued at the meeting, where the role of victims and survivors was a central theme, with discussions spotlighting those most affected by the atrocities.
The Regional Network for Western Africa was established after a delegation from The Gambia, Guinea, and Senegal participated in the November 2025 meeting of the European Network for Genocide Prosecution.
