International Criminal Courts and Tribunals (R_INT.CR.C.T)
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ICCT
ICCT tutorial questions
1. Provide one way in which custom and treaty interact.
One way in which customary law and treaties interact is that customary international law can
be influenced by the content of existing treaties. When states consistently follow and adhere
to treaty provisions, these rules may become customary international law. This reflects how
treaties can shape and contribute to the development of customary norms in international
law. On the other hand, treaties can be based on customary law.
2. One of the key features of international criminal law is that it concerns
individual accountability for international crimes. Explain why this is a unique
feature of the body of law to which international criminal law belongs.
ICL focuses on the criminal responsibility of individuals, rather than States or entities. Other
branches of international law focus primarily on the rights and responsibilities of international
organizations. ICL is a sub-body of public international law. PIL generally regards States and
international organizations.
3. Can you give examples of ways in which an international criminal court can
limit its jurisdiction?
I. As for material jurisdiction, the court has jurisdiction over crimes which are defined in
its statute.
II. As for temporal jurisdiction, the court often specifies a particular time frame during
which crimes must have occurred for the court to have jurisdiction.
III. As for territorial jurisdiction, the jurisdiction of the court may be limited to crimes that
occurred within a specific geographical area.
IV. As for personal jurisdiction, international criminal courts typically have jurisdiction
over individuals who bear the greatest responsibility for the crimes.
4. Classifying court as international, national or hybrid?
1. Establishment
2. Material jurisdiction, national or international or mixed combination.
3. Rules of cooperation
5. Was the establishment of the ICTY ever questioned by anyone, and, if so, on
which ground?
1. The controversy was related to if a political organ, the UN, is able to act in an
international criminal judicial area.
2. Furthermore, Resolution 827: ‘put an end to such crimes [...] bring justice to the
persons who are responsible [...] contribute to the restoration and maintenance of
peace’ was criticized in that criminal punishment alone cannot create international
peace and security.
,Case of Tadic: Case challenged ICTY jurisdiction over him. He had asserted that the SC
had no authority to set up a criminal court, that its primacy over national courts was unlawful,
and that it had no jurisdiction over the crimes he was alleged to have committed.
- Response: The response was that the SC has the power to create subsidiary organs,
such as Tribunals (Art 9 UN Charter). The SC also has the responsibility to deal with
threats against international peace and security.
6. Name two significant controversies surrounding the establishment of the ICC.
1. Political level, i.e., the role of the SC, and that the prosecutor can also bring a case
before the ICC.
2. Technical level, i.e., the implementation of rules of criminal procedures by criminal
lawyers from very diverse legal systems.
, ICCT lectures
L1. History, Evolution and Modern ICL
ICL = Branch of public international law that prohibits four categories of conduct (core
international crimes) and holds individuals criminally responsible for their commission.
- Other public IL: International HR law, IHL, Transnational Criminal law.
History of ICL:
- 1943: Moscow Declaration (October 1943) = “[those] will be sent back to the
countries in which their abominable deeds were done in order that they may be
judged and punishes according to the laws of these countries”
- 1950: UN adopted 7 nuremberg principles:
- Criticism IMT & IMTFE:
1. Victor’s justice: As there was an issue of by whom the perpetrators are tried:
one-sided prosecution. Defense raised an tu quoque principle.
2. Cultural misunderstandings and insensitivities allegedly affected the trial.
3. Ex post facto: Applicable law was designed to guarantee a conviction of the
perpetrator. This would mean ex post facto legislation of crimes against
humanity and crimes against peace. However, there was the Moscow
Declaration, which was recognized during the committed crimes. This
perspective argues that the perpetrator was aware of their ‘criminal’ action.
Moreover → principle of justice (opinio juris).
Modern international criminal courts and tribunals:
1. ICTY (art. 1-5 ICTY Statute): primacy over national courts – obligation to cooperate.
- Material jurisdiction: war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide
- Temporal jurisdiction: after 1 January 1991
- Territorial jurisdiction: on the territory of the former Yugoslavia
2. ICTR (art. 1-4 ICTR Statute): primacy over national courts – obligation to cooperate.
- Material jurisdiction: war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide
- Temporal jurisdiction: 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994
- Territorial/personal jurisdiction: Rwanda and Rwandan citizens responsible for
such acts committed in the territory of neighboring States. → limited personal
jurisdiction.
3. UN Residual Mechanism for ICT (MICT): Mechanism for ICTR and ICTY.
4. ICC (treaty-based, RS): complementary jurisdiction
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