On 17 - 21 November 2025, the IIJ hosted the in-person component of its third Trial Judges’ Counter-Terrorism Academic Curriculum (TJ CTAC) in Malta, following the online phase completed earlier in November.
Supported by the Federal Republic of Germany, the programme brought together 25 trial judges from West and Central Africa for an intensive week of advanced training, peer-to-peer exchange, and applied courtroom simulations. The opening session featured interventions by Mr. Steven Hill, Executive Secretary of the IIJ; Mr. Naoufel Gaeid, Director of the Academic Unit; Ms. Andrea Fischboeck-Riou, Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Malta; and a representative of the European Union, underlining the shared international commitment to strengthening judicial responses to terrorism.
Throughout the week, participants also delivered national and regional presentations on the terrorist threat, identifying structural challenges and opportunities for reform in their respective jurisdictions. These exchanges strengthened the community of practitioners built by the IIJ Academic Unit since 2020 and fostered deeper judicial cooperation across West and Central Africa.
Designed and led by the IIJ Academic Unit, this edition of the TJ CTAC adopted a comprehensive approach blending comparative legal methodology and practical exercises. The programme was structured around key themes including the evolution of terrorist activity in the sub-region, the financial mechanisms sustaining terrorist networks, and the complex question of rehabilitation for individuals associated with terrorism. Additional focus was placed on procedural guarantees, the rights of the defence, evidentiary admissibility, and the judicial management of complex terrorism cases.
To support this architecture, the Academic Unit drew on the contributions of invited high level experts such as Mr. Seidik Abba, Ms. Hélène Cissé, and Mr. Jean-Louis Périès, whose interventions complemented and reinforced the Unit’s pedagogical objectives.
At the heart of the curriculum stood the multi-day series of mock trials. These simulations, grounded in realistic scenarios reflecting current terrorism cases, enabled participants to engage directly with the complexities of judicial practice, such as deliberation techniques, proportionality of judicial responses, the use and control of special investigative measures, confiscation and management of terrorist assets, and the protection of victims and witnesses.
Participants expressed deep appreciation for the programme’s practical and collaborative approach. As one judge reflected: “We thank you for the expertise we have gained during this activity… we leave with a constant commitment to safeguarding the rights of the parties while exercising discretion in handling matters related to terrorism.” Another affirmed: “We promise to put into practice all good practices, sound procedures, and effective mechanisms learned here to be efficient in the fight against terrorism.”
Through this third edition of the TJ CTAC, the IIJ with the generous support of Germany and with the engagement of the European Union continues to advance judicial excellence and reinforce the capacity of trial judges to uphold justice and the rule of law in terrorism cases.