Bringing States to Justice for Crimes against Humanity The Compromissory Clause in the ILC Draft Convention on Crimes against Humanity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas J Zimmermann ◽  
Felix Boos
Keyword(s):  
Crimes Against Humanity ◽  
Draft Convention

Part III Epilogue and Reflections, 8 Conclusions and the Way Forward

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kittichaisaree Kriangsak
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Transitional Justice ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
War Crimes ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Crimes Against Humanity ◽  
Legal Assistance ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
International Peace ◽  
Draft Convention

The chapter describes international efforts to close the gaps in existing treaties on the obligation to extradite or prosecute. These include: (i) the joint initiative for the adoption of a new international instrument on mutual legal assistance and extradition for the effective investigation and prosecution of the most serious crimes of international concern, in particular, the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, by domestic jurisdictions; and (ii) the International Law Commission's work on a draft convention on Crimes against Humanity. The chapter also explores the issue of capacity building for the national judiciary and a regional judicial mechanism to help alleviate the burden of the International Criminal Court; national peace/reconciliation, international peace/stability, and other considerations against the implementation of the obligation to extradite or prosecute; the operation of transitional justice as an alternative to prosecution; and the implications of the atrocities in Syria for the future prospects of this obligation in the context of international criminal justice.

The Crimes Against Humanity Convention, (Overlooked) African Lessons, and the Delicate Dance of Immunity

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Max du Plessis
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
South African ◽  
Rome Statute ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Crimes Against Humanity ◽  
International Criminal Justice ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Draft Convention ◽  
National Systems ◽  
Realist Perspective

Abstract In a foreword to a special issue of this Journal on the proposed Crimes Against Humanity Convention (CAHC), important questions were raised, including whether such a convention is truly needed, whether such a convention is politically feasible and whether any provisions in the draft articles should be modified. In this piece, the author considers the questions raised, and poses answers from an African and realist perspective, having litigated some of the international criminal justice cases before South African courts. The author contends that the drafters of the Convention would do well to take meaningful account of the domestication of international criminal justice, and the lessons to be learned from national systems that have found themselves at the forefront of the very debates that have animated the drafters of the CAHC, and the Rome Statute before it. If those lessons are to be taken seriously — including the lessons generated by African states and their courts — then the draft Convention might well be improved and some of its most animating provisions sharpened.

scholarly journals Laying the Foundations for a Convention on Crimes Against Humanity

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 909-957
Author(s):  
Claus Kreß ◽  
Sévane Garibian
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Justice System ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Crimes Against Humanity ◽  
Genocide Convention ◽  
International Criminal Justice ◽  
Draft Convention

Abstract How far have we come in laying the foundations for a Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity? The co-editors of this symposium conclude that solid groundwork has been laid and hope that the current momentum will be maintained. At the same time, they caution against a ‘rush to conclusion’ as they see room for considerable refinement of many of the proposed provisions as well as the need for a genuine attempt to address the unresolved questions of immunity ratione materiae and amnesty. At this juncture, it is not easy to predict whether a meaningful new draft convention can be presented without further deepening the divide among states about international criminal justice. But it can safely be stated that every additional investment in intellectual energy and time to arrive at the formulation of such a draft is worthy of the effort. The adoption of a Convention on Crimes Against Humanity and preferably one that also updates the Genocide Convention would mark another milestone in the evolution of the international criminal justice system.

‘With or Without You’: Why Italy Should Incorporate Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide Into Its National Legal System

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 698-714
Author(s):  
Luigi Prosperi
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Legal System ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Criminal Court ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Crimes Against Humanity ◽  
Genocide Convention ◽  
International Obligation ◽  
Draft Convention ◽  
International Law Commission

Abstract By ratifying the Genocide Convention, Italy undertook an obligation to enact legislation ‘to provide effective penalties for persons guilty of genocide’. Accordingly, in 1967 the legislator incorporated the offences enumerated in the convention into the domestic legal system. As it was under no such obligation with regard to crimes against humanity, Italy has not criminalized them. Two major legal issues arise from this decision. First, Italy may be unable to execute cooperation requests submitted by the International Criminal Court, and thus breach an international obligation. Furthermore, domestic authorities can only charge suspects with ‘corresponding’ ordinary offences, which are subject to statutes of limitations. Both issues are addressed in the Draft Convention on Crimes Against Humanity adopted by the International Law Commission, whose provisions require States Parties to enact legislation to ensure that under domestic criminal law such crimes constitute offences and are not subject to a statute of limitations.

Treaty-Based Regulation and Evidence-Extradition Agreements as Critical Tools in the Fight against International Criminal Wrongdoing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Courtney Martin
Keyword(s):  
International Criminal ◽  
Universal Jurisdiction ◽  
Crimes Against Humanity ◽  
Legal Analysis ◽  
Terra Firma ◽  
Draft Article ◽  
Bilateral Agreement ◽  
Draft Convention

Abstract Draft Article 7 of the UN Draft Convention regarding Crimes Against Humanity provides the terra firma for States to establish and exercise a range of jurisdictional bases, including universal jurisdiction, to be reinforced by State-to-State agreements regarding evidence-extradition for the benefit of downstream truth and justice seeking projects. Legal analysis demonstrates there persists an insistence on treaty regulation and clearly particularised laws at local and international levels to successfully pursue international criminal accountability. Draft Article 7 will give credence to universal jurisdiction, complement the International Criminal Court’s workings and counter its temporal limitations, and negate politically-motivated invocation of the doctrine. A case study involving Australian extradition proceedings highlights how evidence can be obtained efficiently on the basis of a pre-existing bilateral agreement between culturally distinct States. Formal arrangements regarding evidence-exchange will espouse a greater willingness by States to cooperate across borders and will strengthen universality by taking some of the guess-work out of its exercise.

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