The Lundin Trial and the Path to Justice
On September 5, 2023, a trial at the Stockholm District Court commenced marking a significant moment in legal history. Corporate executives Ian Lundin and Alexandre Schneiter stand accused of aiding and abetting war crimes in what is now South Sudan. Cases against high-ranking executives of international corporations for their roles in systematic human rights violations are exceptionally rare. The charges are the outcome of an extensive preliminary investigation initiated in 2010 following the prosecution’s review of a report documenting war crimes committed in the region where Lundin was operating.
The report “Unpaid Debt” describes how, 12,000 lives were lost and 160,000 people forcibly displaced in the violence caused by Sudan’s oil wars.
Until now, no one has been held accountable for the horrific crimes committed during Sudan’s civil war. The lack of justice for such large-scale crimes has been a significant factor contributing to the political instability and culture of violence plaguing South Sudan. The Lundin trial represents an opportunity for truth-telling and recognition of victim communities.
Only 32 plaintiffs will present their cases and claim redress for the harm they suffered. The prosecution suggests there may be as many as 160,000 victims, which shows there is a huge gap between the rights and rightful claims of victims, and the ability of national courts to deliver justice for victims.
