Lecture 4 questions

The intentional destruction of a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, in whole or in part, through acts like killing, causing serious harm, inflicting conditions of life calculated to destroy the group, imposing measures to prevent births, or forcibly transferring children of the group.

Crimes committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population. These crimes include murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation or forcible transfer of population, torture, and more. The key element is the intent to harm a civilian population.

Crimes committed during international armed conflict, like killing civilians, torture, taking hostages, and destruction of property.

The prosecution of individuals for crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

A crime against humanity that means forcefully trying to prevent a group from reproducing, such as through enforced sterilization.

They encompass serious violations of international humanitarian law, including acts like wilful killing, torture, and taking hostages.

The Geneva Conventions, adopted in 1949, are a set of international treaties that establish standards for humanitarian treatment in war.

They are important because they provide rules to protect people who are no longer fighting during conflict, like wounded soldiers, civilians, and prisoners of war.

Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, applicable to non-international armed conflicts, ensures basic humanitarian protections for individuals.

Examples include wilful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, taking hostages, and extensive destruction of property.

Punishing crimes, deterring future violations, incapacitating offenders, rehabilitating them, and educating society about the importance of international law.

They aim to provide justice for victims, record history, contribute to post-conflict reconciliation, and help societies move forward.

A legal principle that states that no one should be punished for an act which was not a crime at the time it was committed. It's like saying, "You can't be charged for something that wasn't illegal when you did it."

A legal principle that states that no one should be punished for an act unless it was specifically made a crime by law at the time it was committed. It's like saying, "You can't be punished if the law wasn't written down."

The principle that a state has the right to govern its own affairs, including its internal jurisdiction. It limits the application of international law within a state's borders. It's like saying, "Each country has its own rules and laws."

The legal doctrine that international courts can only try individuals for crimes that were clearly recognized as crimes under international law at the time the acts were committed. It's like saying, "You can only be tried for something that was considered illegal when you did it."

The Nuremberg Charter's principles provided a framework for international criminal law, establishing that individuals can be held accountable for international crimes, regardless of their position. It's like saying, "You can't escape responsibility just because you're in a position of power."

The Nuremberg trials were held after World War II to prosecute Nazi leaders for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes against peace. It was a landmark event in international criminal law. It's like saying, "There were trials for crimes committed during World War II."

The Tokyo trials were held after World War II to prosecute Japanese leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It was a significant event for establishing accountability for wartime atrocities. It's like saying, "Japan's war criminals faced consequences."

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent international court that investigates and prosecutes individuals for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It's like saying, "It's a court for crimes against humanity."

International criminal law is the study of crimes committed on an international scale, like those against humanity or crimes of war. It focuses on holding individuals responsible for violating international law.

International crimes are serious offenses against the international community as a whole, like genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. They're typically defined in treaties and customary international law. They involve violations of fundamental human rights and are considered to be of the utmost importance to the global community.

International criminal tribunals are temporary courts established to prosecute individuals for crimes committed in specific conflicts or situations. They are often set up by the United Nations Security Council or through international agreements. Examples include the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

Hybrid tribunals are courts that combine elements of both national and international law. They are established to investigate and prosecute serious crimes in specific situations. Often, they are formed through a partnership between the United Nations and a national government. Examples include the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).

The ICTY was established in 1993 to prosecute individuals for crimes committed during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. Its jurisdiction covers crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide committed in the region during the period of the conflict.

The ICTR was established in 1994 to prosecute individuals for crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide. Its jurisdiction covered crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide in relation to the events that occurred in Rwanda during the genocide.