Michael Polak Acts in Landmark Case Brought by the Uyghurs in Argentina for Genocide and Crimes against Humanity

Church Court Chambers’ barrister Michael Polak, acting with Argentinian Counsel, has brought a landmark criminal complaint to the Courts of Argentina, under the universal jurisdiction provisions in Article 118 of the Argentinian Constitution.

On Wednesday 17 August 2022, Michael Polak acting with Argentinian lawyers Gabriel Cavallo and Juan Nieto submitted the criminal complaint to the Federal Criminal Court in Buenos Aires on behalf of  the World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur Human Rights Project.  This submission sets out the international crimes being committed against the Uyghur and other Turkic people in the Uyghur Region and the identity of those most responsible for these crimes. Under Argentinian universal jurisdiction provisions, the Courts have jurisdictions for international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity and torture wherever they take place.

The submission of this complaint marks the first stage of the process: the “prosecutorial stage” where the appointed judge considers the complaint and submissions from the public prosecutor as to whether to open a case. 

The case was covered by both the Argentinian and international press:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/08/17/landmark-case-filed-against-chinese-officials-human-rights-atrocities/

https://www.newsweek.com/criminal-case-filed-china-alleging-genocide-minorities-xinjiang-1734808

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/argentine-court-08172022173804.html

https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/etnia-uigur-por-que-la-minoria-perseguida-en-china-eligio-la-argentina-para-denunciar-las-nid18082022/

Michael Polak is available for instruction in international human rights, criminal or public international law matter by contacting his clerks, by email clerks@churchcourtchambers.co.uk or by phone 020 7936 3637.

Barristers featured in this news

Year of Call - 2012

More news

Shortlist ( )

Criminal Law

Business Crime

Extradition

Immigration Law

Regulatory and Disciplinary Law

Sports Law