CHAMBERS
Almudena Bernabeu
(Co Founder)
Guernica 37
Called:
England and Wales (2022)
Madrid (2017)
California (2002)
Valencia (2001)
Qualified to Accept Public Access instructions
Introduction
Almudena Bernabeu is the Co-founder of The Guernica 37 Group and Joint Head of Guernica 37 Chambers. She is a renowned international lawyer with a long career and expertise in International Criminal Law, Rule of Law Development, Government Advisory Work, Public International Law, Atrocity Crime, Prevention, International Human Rights Law, and Anti-Corruption & Bribery. She has held extensive lectures and seminars about her experience over the last 20 years in the US and Europe.
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Ms Bernabeu is a member of the Bar of England and Wales and a member of the Bar of Madrid. She has been instructed to lead prosecutions in cases in front of the Spanish High Court. She has successfully exercised her advocacy in the United States in cases brought under the Alien Tort Statute before US Federal courts and in criminal cases in Europe under the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction. Almudena Bernabeu has led as an advocate multiple landmark cases regarding international crimes occurred in Chile, El Salvador, Colombia, Libya- Yemen, Syria, Peru, Bangladesh, Iraq, Venezuela, Guatemala, The Gambia, Mexico, and others.
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Among her multiple accomplishments, Ms. Bernabeu led the investigation before Spanish High Court of the Genocide committed in Guatemala against the Mayan people. This investigation was instrumental in the conviction of the former Guatemalan dictator Efraín Rios Montt for genocide. Ms Bernabeu’s contribution to this important case was the subject of the documentary film entitled: “Granito: How to Nail a Dictator”. Ms Bernabeu also led the prosecution for the massacre of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter, by members of the Salvadoran Military High Command.
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Ms. Bernabeu investigated and provided essential evidence to secure a civil judgment against Pedro Barrientos Nuñez, a former lieutenant in the Chilean Military responsible for the torture and murder of the popular singer Víctor Jara.
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Amongst her numerous international cases, in Peru, Ms Bernabeu advocated and ensured the extradition of two military officials involved in the Accomarca massacre, an essential case for the Peruvian Truth Commission. Further, in relation to Argentina’s dirty war, she collaborated in the second extradition of Guillermo Suárez Mason to Buenos Aires where he faced charges of crimes against humanity. Ms. Bernabeu and her team brought the first criminal complaint for crimes committed by the intelligence and security forces of the Bashar Al Assad regime relying upon the Caesar’s photographic files.
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Due to her unparalleled contribution to international justice Ms Bernabeu has received numerous awards, including being listed amongst Times magazine 200 most influential people, and the Letelier-Moffit Human Rights prize. In 2017, she received the 26th International Award of the Spanish Federation of Female Directors, Executives, Professionals and Businesswomen.
Almudena holds a LLM degree in International Law from the University of Valencia, where she specialised in Public International Law; Ms. Bernabeu received a honoris causa PhD by the University of Santa Clara, in California in 2013.
Current work
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Yemen
Member of the legal team investigating the Saudi-led coalition attack on the civilian population in Yemen constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity. Filed an Article 15 Communication with the ICC Prosecutor in August 2021 and a criminal report with the Metropolitan Police Service under universal jurisdiction.
South Sudan
Member of the legal team leading an inquiry into an attack on a group of humanitarian workers stemming from the 11 July 2016 attack on the Terrain hotel in Juba, South Sudan
Kosovo Specialist Chambers, Prosecutor v. Nasim Haradinaj
Counsel for the defence in the trial of the Vice President of the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans Association on trial for administration of justice offences.
Kosovo Specialist Chambers
Member of the legal team leading the defence of several suspects under investigation for international crimes allegedly committed during the 1998-1999 armed conflict in the Republic of Kosovo.
People’s Tribunal for the Murder of Journalists
Leading the prosecution team to bring the indictment in response to the alarming number of journalists who are murdered in relation to their work, and the lack of justice in the majority of these cases. These murders are the ultimate consequence of a hostile environment for press freedom, characterized by harassment, violent attacks, or other attempts at silencing journalists. The People’s Tribunal on the Murder of Journalists is organised by Free Press Unlimited, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters without Borders, as part of the initiative A Safer World for the Truth.
Libya
Leading an investigation against two Spanish art dealers that were detained with numerous stolen goods of art of Cyrenaic origin. Filed, as a popular prosecution, a criminal complaint before the Spanish National Court. The criminal complaint was filed against those who appear as criminally responsible, throughout all phases of the investigation for war crimes, terrorist financing, membership of a criminal organization, in connection with a crime of smuggling, money laundering, and forgery of documentation.
Government of Rwanda
Member of the legal team instructed by the Government of Rwanda to advise on the role of French Officials in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and to ensure that Rwanda suspects on the territory of France are brought to justice. Further, instructed to advise and implement a national reform initiative to strengthen domestic capacity to investigate and prosecute cases of Genocide and Crimes against Humanity.
Colombia
Instructed to assist on a project to investigate international crimes that are considered emblematic for both communities and victims. Our investigations seek to collect evidence and information to identify systematic patterns of violence and specific criminal responsibilities to build legal cases to be filed before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. Further, currently advising the Officer of the Inspector General (Procuradoria de la Nación) on developing a national anti-corruption programme.
Syria
Filed the first Article 15 Communication with the ICC Prosecutor based on the legal precedent set by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber regarding the forced deportation of Rohingya into neighbouring Bangladesh.
Venezuela
Instructed to advise the former Attorney General and members of the Criminal and Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit. During 2017-2018 advised the legal team to investigate and document allegations of crimes against humanity. In mid 2018, led the filing an Article 15 Communication with the ICC Prosecutor. The matter is presently under investigation. Further, instructed to investigate corrupt practices, bribery and money laundering of the current Government.
Myanmar/Bangladesh
Filed an amicus brief in the ICC determination of jurisdiction on the alleged forced deportation of 500,000 ethnic Rohingya from the Rakhine State into neighbouring Bangladesh. Successfully argued that the forced deportation was an element of the Crime of Genocide and/or Crimes against Humanity.
Dr. Abbas Khan v. Syrian Arab Republic
Member of the legal team instructed to lead the investigation into the abduction, torture and murder of a British national by the Military Intelligence of the Syrian Arab Republic.
A.H. v. Syrian Arab Republic
Leading the international legal team that brought the first criminal case against nine senior members of the Syrian Military Intelligence.
International criminal investigation into the situation in Libya
Member of the legal team leading an international investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Libyan National Army into attacks on the civilian population for the period of 2014-2017 in Benghazi, Libya.
Spain v. K.K.
Member of the legal team instructed by the Government of Rwanda to represent the Rwandan Head of National Intelligence and Security, General Karenze, in an extradition request brought by the Government of Spain on charges of genocide and terrorism. The request was successfully defended and the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court dismissed the request in August 2014.
The ‘Caesar’ Investigation (2015-2017)
Member of the legal team instructed by the Syrian National Movement to lead an international investigation into the evidence of a former Syrian government official who had documented the mass starvation, torture and execution of several thousand civilian detainees. (2015-2017)
Article 15 application to the ICC prosecution to open a preliminary investigation into the situation in Bangladesh
Member of the legal team investigating crimes against humanity committed by the Security Forces in Bangladesh on the civilian population for the period of 2012-2015.
Previous experience​
Cases and Instructions
Chile, Jara v. Barrientos,No. 6:13-cv-1426-Orl-37GJK. 2014. U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Cabrera v. Jiménez Naranjo, No. 10-21951-CIV-TORRES (S.D. Fla. Sep. 30, 2014) 2010. U.S., District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Theodoro Obiang, DP 202 6/2010, 2008-2010, Money Laundering, Connected to arbitrary detention and summary executions. Gran Canaria Regional Court and Gibraltar
Guatemalan Armed Forces, DP Case 331/99, 2008. Spanish High Court.
Ochoa Lizarbe v. Hurtado/Rondon, 402F. App’x 834 ( 4th Cir.2010) 2007-2009. U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Reyes v. Lopez Grijalba, No. 02-22046-CIV, slip up. (S.D. Fl. 2006), 2002-2006. United States District Court Southern District of Florida
Chavez v. Carranza, 413 F. Supp. 2d 891 (W.D. Tenn. 2005). U.S. District Court for the western District of Tennessee, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court.
Doe v. Saravia, 348 F. Supp. 2d 1112 (E.D. Cal. 2004), 2003-2004. U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
Cabello v. Fernandez Larios, 205 F. Supp. 2d. 1325 (S.D. Fla. 2002), 2003-2005. U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Romagoza Arce v. Garcia and Vides Casanova, 434 F.3d 1254 (11th Cir.2006) 2002U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
International Criminal Court
Art 15 Submission on the situation in Venezuela, 17 September 20018
Amicus Curiae on the crisis in Myanmar, 7 June, 20018
Art. 15 Submission on the situation in Libya 15 November 2017
Art 15 Submission on the situation on in Palestina/Gaza 4 April 2018
Art. 15 Submission on the situation in Bangladesh 19 April 2018
Art 15 Submission on the situation in Syria-Jordan, 3 February 2019
Argentina
Collaborated in the second extradition of Guillermo Suárez Mason to Buenos Aires, where he faced charges of crimes against humanity; and later, prepared the trial against Adolfo Scilingo in Madrid for the crimes committed at the Escuela de Mecánica de la Armada.
El Salvador
Filed a criminal complaint before the Spanish National Court for the massacre of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter by members of the Salvadoran Army, that led to the extradition of Colonel Inocente Orlando Montano from the United States to Spain. In 2020, Montano was convicted by the Spanish National Court to over 133 years of imprisonment for this crime. Led the private prosecution of this case, representing victims before the Spanish National Court, while working simultaneously with the Salvadoran civil society to foster and strengthen accountability initiatives in the country.
Guatemala
Investigated incidents of mass torture and sexual violence against the Ixil Maya community and submitted the evidence collected before the Spanish National Court following the principle of Universal Jurisdiction. These investigations contributed to the conviction of former Guatemalan dictator Efraín Ríos Montt for his responsibility on the Mayan genocide and other acts constitutive of torture, enforced disappearance, state terrorism and crimes against humanity. Ríos Montt was sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment in the first judgement that officially acknowledged the Mayan genocide.
Peru
Ensured the extradition from the United States to Peru of two members of the military—Major Telmo Hurtado Hurtado and Juan Manuel Rivera Rondón—involved in the Accomarca massacre, an emblematic case that materialised the victims’ hopes for justice in the context of the TruthCommission and the Peruvian transition.
Ecuador
Member of the Ecuadorian Truth Commission—which published its final report ‘Sin Verdad no hay Justicia’ in 2010—and appointed senior legal advisor in the Direction for the Truth Commission and Human Rights in the Ecuadorian Office for the Prosecutor. Gave a conference called ‘The Truth Commission in Ecuador’ in the Ministry of the Justice and the Andean University of Ecuador and met the President of the Republic and members of the Ministry of Justice to discuss the transitional strategy in the country.
Chile
Investigated the assassination of Victor Jara, one of the innumerable atrocities that took place in the Chile Stadium days after Pinochet’s coup d’état. As a consequence of these investigations, a U.S. Court found Pedro Barrientos Nuñez, the former lieutenant that participated in the torture and murder of the popular singer, guilty and criminally responsible for Jara’s killing
Syria
Filed the first criminal complaint against senior members of the Syrian security and intelligence forces before the Spanish National Court for the arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearance and execution of the brother of a Spanish citizen during the armed conflict, pushing for accountability through the principle of universal jurisdiction, despite Spain’s restrictive interpretation. Currently representing victims and leading an international investigation into the Cesar evidence, compiled by a Syrian defector who documented the mass starvation, torture and execution of several thousand civilian detainees in the wide network of Syrian detention centres.
Colombia
Filed a lawsuit against Carlos Mario Jiménez alias “Macaco”—former paramilitary soldier extradited to the United States—for the assassination of attorney Alma Rosa Jaramillo and popular leader Eduardo Estrada. Appointed judge of the People’s Tribunal for Sexual Violence in the framework of the Armed Conflict in Bogota, which concluded that systematic sexual violence had been used as a weapon of war in the Colombian conflict. Provided assistance to the Justicia y Paz process, following the demobilisation of the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) paramilitary group in 2005. Assisted ethnic communities of the Colombian territories of Northern Cauca, Buenaventura, Montes de María and Putumayo to file eleven legal reports on crimes against humanity committed in their regions before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) and the Truth Commission (CEV).
The Gambia
Assisted victims of the international Coalition and the Campaign Jammeh2Justice to hold former President Yahya Jammeh and his accomplices accountable for human rights abuses and international crimes committed in The Gambia.
Bangladesh
Instructed to design a two-fold strategy to seek justice for Bangladeshi victims of human rights violations and international crimes before foreign national courts and international institutions.
Honduras
Leading an investigation assisting victims to take legal action in the United States against those responsible for the killing and injury of civilians during counter-narcotics operation in Honduras organised by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in 2012.
Venezuela
Instructed to present t before the ICC a report on persecution as a crime against humanity as well as a mechanism of analysis of potentially criminal acts committed in Venezuela since 2013; as well as a report on the dynamics of the lethal use of force by the security forces, and litany of atrocities perpetrated against marginalised youth.
Nicaragua
Instructed to create the Coalition for Justice in Nicaragua (CJN), a platform aimed at achieving the convergence of Nicaraguan human rights organisations, women’s rights groups, and other stakeholders to conduct mid and long term efforts to achieve accountability in that country. Provided training and contributed to the planning and dissemination of CJN activities.
Mexico
Instructed to establish a strategic alliance with Justicia Transicional en México (JTMX) in order to support the development of a documentation and accountability initiative that aims at documenting abuse of power, human rights violations and links between the state and organised criminality in the Mexican state of Nayarit, as of 2008.
Nigeria
Working in partnership with the Allamin Foundation and lawyers in Borno state on justice and accountability efforts related to human rights violations and the perpetration of crimes against humanity and war crimes by both Boko Haram and the Nigerian Security Forces (NSF).​​
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Education​
University of Valencia, LLM in Law. Degree in International Public Law, Spain 1990-1995
California Bar Association, Legal practice courses and Bar exam, USA 2002
University of California at Hastings, Introduction to American Law, USA 2001-2002
University of Virginia, English, USA 1996​​
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Memberships​
President of The Guernica 37 Centre
List of Counsel of The International Criminal Court 2020
List of Counsel of The Kosovo Specialist Chambers 2020
Private Prosecutors' Association (General Committee Member)
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Bar of England and Wales (2022)
Bar of Madrid 2017
Bar of California 2002-2012
Bar of Valencia 2001-2017
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Appointments ​
Co-Founder of Chambers of The Guernica 37 Group
Joint Head of Chambers Guernica 37 Chambers
Previous Appointments:
Senior International Attorney & Transitional Justice Director at Centre for Justice and Accountability, San Francisco, USA (2002-2016)
Associate Member at 9 Bedford Row International, London, UK. (2014-2016)
Senior Legal Advisor at Attorney General’s Office, Ecuador (2012)
Summer Program Director at University Complutenese of Madrid, Spain (2009-2011)
Guest professor at University of Salamanca, Spain 2008
Guest professor at University of Central America, El Salvador 2007
Legal advocate, Immigration and Refugee law at Park & Taylor, San Francisco, USA 1999-2002
International lawyer. Immigration and Citizenship at the General Consulate of Spain in San Francisco, USA 2001-2002
Associate, International Law and IP Practice at Burgoyne Consulting L.L.P. Valencia and Alicante, Spain 1995-1999
Advocate Immigration and Refugee law at the Information Centre for Migrant Workers, Valencia, Spain 1995-1999
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Committee and Board Service
Member of the International Council – Spanish federation of Directors, Executives, Professional & Business Woman (FEDEPE), Spain https://mujeresdirectivas.es
Chair of the Human Rights Committee – San Francisco Bar Association, USA
Co-Chair of the Human Rights Committee – Madrid Bar Association, Spain
Vice President – Spanish Association for Human Rights (APDHE) www.apdhe.org
Board Member – Peruvian team of Forensic Anthropology (EPAF), Peru www.epafperu.org
Board Member – Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala (FAFG) www.fafg.org
Awards
26th International Prize, Spanish Federation of Female Directors, Executives, Professionals and Businesswoman (FEDEPE), 2017
Included as one of the 40 women for Labour Equality, El País Newspaper, Spain, 2017
Included in the top 100 Most Influential Women in Spain of “Yo Dona” Magazine, Yo Dona, Madrid, Spain. 2017
Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award, Institute for Policy Studies. Washington D.C., USA, 2015
Honorary PhD in Law, Santa Clara University. California, USA, 2014
Medal of Professional Merit, Madrid Bar Association, Spain, 2014
Included as one of the Top 13 leaders in Spain and Latin America, El País Newspaper. Spain, 2013
SCEVOLA Prize to the professional Ethic and Quality, SCEVOLA, SPAIN, 2013
Human Rights Hero Prize, Program of Torture Victims (PTV), Los Angeles, California, USA, 2013
Legal Katharine & George Alexander Law Prize, Santa Clara University, California, USA, 2012
“Yo Dona” Magazine Prize to the best professional career, Yo Dona. Madrid, Spain, 2012
Finalist to the 100 list most influential people, Time Magazine, USA, 2012
Finalist for the Human Rights National Award, Spanish Lawyers Association, Madrid, Spain, 2011
Professional Achievement Award for my work in Central America, 25th Anniversary Prize of El Rescate, Los Angeles, California, USA. 2008
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Publications​
Secrets, Lies, and the Case of Victor Jara
2017 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Berkeley Review of Latin American Studies
Editorial: The Center for Latin American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley
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La Querella Siria Ante La Audiencia Nacional de España
2017 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Teoría & Derecho
Editorial: Tirant lo blanch
Paz y Justicia Para Siria
2017 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Al Revés y Al Derecho
Editorial: Infolibre
Sin Justicia No Hay Transición: El Caso Jesuitas De El Salvador
2016 Autores: Almudena Bernabéu / Carolyn Patty Blum
Revista/Libro: Al Revés y al Derecho
An Imperfect, Just, and Necessary Peace
2016 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Center for Latin American Studies
Editorial: UC Berkeley, California, USA
The Road to Spain: The Jesuit Massacre and the Struggle Against Impunity in El Salvador
2012 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu / Carolyn Patty Blum
Magazine/Book: Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology – Annual Report
Editorial: American Psychological Association
Many Roads to Justice. Transnational Prosecutions and International Support for Criminal Investigations in Post-Conflict Guatemala.
2011 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu / Naomi Roth-Arriaza
Magazine/Book: Centro de Estudios Políticos y Constitucionales – Chapter 9
Editorial: Cuadernos y Debates
Universal Jurisdiction in Spain. The Guatemala Genocide and The Jesuits Case
2010 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Annual Report
Editorial: Redress, UK
Justicia Transnacional Como un Proceso Híbrido
2009 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu / Naomi Roth-Arriaza
Magazine/Book: Centro de Estudios Políticos y Constitucionales – Chapter 12
Editorial: Cuadernos y Debates
El Peligro de Institucionalizar la Impunidad. La excepción como defensa legal de los Estados Unidos frente al Derecho Internacional
2009 Authors: R. Diego Díaz-Santos / Matellanes Rodríguez / E. Fabián Caparrós
Magazine/Book: De los delitos y las penas. La nueva reforma del Código Penal. 21º Forum, Law School, University of Salamanca – Book Chapter
Editorial: Ratio Legis
Protección de los Derechos Humanos y Lucha Efectiva Contra la Impunidad a través del Principio de Justicia Universal. El Caso Latinoamericano
2008 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Institute for Latin American Studies and Law School, University of Salamanca
Editorial: Icaria
The Guatemalan Genocide Case in Spain
2008 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu / Naomi Roth-Arriaza
Magazine/Book: Berkeley Review of Latin American Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, UC Berkeley
Tribunales “Domésticos”: La Justicia Universal y la Atención a las Víctimas
2008 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Spanish Association for Human Rights (APDHE)
Editorial: Icaria
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction as a Source of Justice for Latin America [1]
2007 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu/Naomi Roth-Arriaza
Magazine/Book: Santa Clara Journal of International Law Vol. 5 No. 2
Justicia Universal: Una opción real para las víctimas en la batalla contra la impunidad
2007 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Lecture, The Hague
Editorial: Hague Papers
Derechos Humanos y Desarrollo. Justicia Universal, El Caso Latinoamericano.
2007 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Spanish Association for Human Rights (APDHE)
Editorial: Icaria
Derechos y Libertades de los Extranjeros en España
1996 Authors: Almudena Bernabéu
Magazine/Book: Spanish Association for Human Rights (APDHE)
Editorial: CITMI Comunidad Valenciana
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Expertise
International Criminal Law
Rule of Law Development
Government Advisory Work
Public International Law
Atrocity Crime Prevention
International Human Rights Law
Anti-Corruption & Bribery
Extradition & Mutual Legal Assistance
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Languages​
Spanish (Native)
English (Proficient)
French (Proficient)
Catalan (Native)
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