Ousman Sonko of Gambia Challenges Swiss Ruling on Human Rights Violations

Ousman Sonko, the ex-minister of interior for The Gambia, has initiated an appeal in a Swiss court regarding his earlier conviction for alleged crimes against humanity tied to the regime of former dictator Yahya Jammeh.

Sonko was found guilty in May 2024 of crimes including homicide, torture, and false imprisonment, marking a significant milestone as he became the most senior former official to be prosecuted in Europe under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which facilitates the legal pursuit of severe crimes internationally.

During the court session, five of the ten Gambian plaintiffs involved in the case were present at the Higher Appeals Chamber of the Federal Criminal Court located in Bellinzona, standing alongside Sonko as he sought to overturn his conviction.

Serving as interior minister until 2016 when Jammeh dismissed him, Sonko's appeal addresses charges related to actions allegedly committed throughout his tenure between 2000 and 2016.

In the appeal hearing, Sonko’s attorney, Philippe Currat, contended that many of the purported offenses occurred before Swiss legal frameworks became applicable in 2011, arguing that the prerequisites for a criminal prosecution are not met.

In a simultaneous challenge, both the plaintiffs and prosecutors are also appealing the conviction, aspiring to extend Sonko's 20-year sentence to a life term and to include charges of sexual violence following his prior acquittal for rape.

Benoit Meystre, a legal adviser from TRIAL International—an organization that originally lodged the complaint against Sonko and supports the plaintiffs—stated, "Sexual violence was used as a tool of oppression in The Gambia and should be acknowledged and considered by the court as such."

The hearings are expected to proceed at least until April 17, with the possibility of an additional appeal against the eventual verdict, which would typically occur without public hearings.