Modern international criminal justice : the jurisprudence of the International Criminal Court

Scrutinizing all the relevant case law of the International Criminal Court (ICC), this book elucidates the paradigm that the ICC's jurisprudence represents in international criminal justice. It presents in-depth knowledge of how contemporary international criminal justice preserves, departs from, or extends the principles that have developed since the Nuremberg Trials. It explains how the Court affirms that the most serious crimes of international concern must not go unpunished. Modern International Criminal Justice looks at the clear universalist approach taken by the ICC, and demonstrates how this, both procedurally and substantively, distinguishes the Court from other international criminal tribunals. The book further explains the solid embedment of human rights law and victim-based justice into contemporary international criminal justice. It particularly demonstrates how a jurisprudential balance is struck between the determination to end impunity and the need for a fair and impartial trial. With regard to victim-based justice, it particularly elucidates the rights of the victims before the ICC to participate in the proceedings and to receive reparations. The book is a primary and authoritative source for the interpretation of the Rome Statute - the governing instrument of the ICC - and the evolution of international criminal justice as a response to unimaginable atrocities that victimize humankind. It clearly demonstrates how the jurisprudence of the ICC attempts to remedy the deficiencies of earlier international criminal tribunals. [Subject: Criminal Justice, International Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights Law]

• Acknowledgements p. v
• Preface p. vii
• Table of Cases p. xvii
• Table of Treaties, Statutes and Other Selected Instruments p. xxxi
• Abbreviations p. xliii
• Chapter 1 Introduction p. 1
• Chapter 2 Jurisdiction, Admissibility and Applicable Law p. 9
• 1 Jurisdiction p. 9
• 1.1 The parameters of the jurisdiction of the ICC p. 11
• 1.2 Barriers to the exercise of the jurisdiction p. 14
• 1.3 Challenges to the jurisdiction of the Court p. 15
• 1.4 Exercise of jurisdiction p. 17
• 1.4.1 Referral of a situation by a State Party p. 17
• 1.4.2 Referral of a situation by the Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter p. 18
• 1.4.3 Initiation of an investigation upon the Prosecutor's own initiative p. 19
• 1.4.3.1 The applicable standard p. 20
• 2 Admissibility p. 22
• 2.1 Challenges to the admissibility of a case p. 24
• 2.2 The admissibility test p. 25
• 2.2.1 Complementarity principle p. 25
• 2.2.2 Gravity threshold p. 29
• 3 Applicable law p. 30
• 3.1 Primary sources p. 31
• 3.2 Subsidiary sources p. 31
• 3.2.1 Treaties and the principles and rules of international law p. 31
• 3.2.2 National laws p. 32
• 3.3 General principles on the interpretation of the Rome Statute p. 33
• 3.4 Interpretation in accordance with internationally recognized human rights p. 35
• 3.5 The role of the travaux preparatoires in the interpretation p. 36
• 3.6 Role of the jurisprudence of other international criminal tribunals p. 37
• Chapter 3 Composition and Administration of the Court p. 39
• 1 Introduction p. 39
• 2 Presidency p. 39
• 3 Judicial divisions p. 39
• 3.1 Excusing and disqualification of judges p. 40
• 3.2 Relationship between the different Chambers p. 44
• 4 Office of the Prosecutor p. 45
• 4.1 Power of the Prosecutor to conduct investigations p. 46
• 5 The Registry p. 46
• Chapter 4 Evidentiary Standards p. 49
• 1 Levels of evidentiary standards p. 49
• 2 Evidentiary standard at the issuance of a warrant of arrest p. 50
• 3 Evidentiary standard at the proceedings for confirmation of charges p. 51
• 4 Evidentiary standard at the trial phase p. 57
• Chapter 5 Relevance, Admissibility and Probative Value of Evidence p. 59
• 1 Presentation of evidence p. 59
• 2 Admissibility, relevance and probative value of evidence p. 61
• 3 Direct and indirect evidence p. 66
• 4 Documentary or summary evidence p. 68
• 5 Inconsistencies p. 69
• 6 Format p. 70
• 7 Circumstantial evidence p. 73
• 8 Evidence obtained by means of violation of human rights p. 74
• 9 Hearsay evidence p. 76
• 10 Expert witnesses p. 78
• 11 Corroboration of evidence p. 79
• 12 Evidence pertaining to a person's civil status p. 81
• 13 Preventive relocation of witnesses p. 81
• 14 Witnesses with dual status p. 82
• Chapter 6 Individual Criminal Responsibility p. 85
• 1 Introduction p. 35
• 2 Modes of criminal liability under the Rome Statute p. 86
• 3 Modes of criminal responsibility under Article 25(3)(a) of the Statute p. 87
• 4 The doctrine of control over the crime' p. 90
• 5 Elements of co-perpetration based on joint control over the crime p. 97
• 5.1 Objective elements of co-perpetration based on joint control over the crime p. 98
• 5.1.1 Common plan p. 98
• 5.1.2 Coordinated essential contribution p. 101
• 5.2 Subjective elements of co-perpetration based on joint control over the crime p. 103
• 5.2.1 Intent and knowledge p. 103
• 5.2.2 Mutual awareness and acceptance that the implementation of common plan may result in the realisation of the objective elements of the crime p. 105
• 5.2.3 Suspect's awareness of factual circumstances enabling him or her to jointly control the crime p. 107
• 6 The doctrine of 'control over the organisation p. 108
• 7 Organised and hierarchical apparatus of power p. 111
• 8 Co-perpetration vis-à-vis other modes of liability under Article 25 of the Statute p. 113
• 8.1 Liability under Article 25(3)(d) of the Statute p. 113
• 8.2 Liability under Article 25(3)(c) of the Statute p. 113
• Chapter 7 Material and Mental Elements of Crimes p. 115
• 1 Introduction p. 115
• 2 Genocide p. 115
• 2.1 Contextual elements of the crime of genocide p. 116
• 2.2 Specific elements of the crime of genocide p. 118
• 2.2.1 Victims' membership of a targeted group p. 118
• 2.2.2 Genocidal intent p. 119
• 2.2.3 'Substantive part' p. 121
• 2.3 'Knowledge-based approach' p. 122
• 3 Crimes against humanity p. 123
• 3.1 Contextual elements of crimes against humanity p. 123
• 3.1.1 'Widespread' p. 127
• 3.1.2 'Systematic' p. 130
• 3.1.3 'As part of p. 131
• 3.1.4 'Civilian population' p. 132
• 3.1.5 The relevant wens rea p. 133
• 3.2 Specific elements constituting crimes against humanity p. 134
• 3.2.1 Murder p. 134
• 3.2.2 Rape p. 135
• 3.2.3 Sexual slavery p. 137
• 3.2.4 Torture p. 138
• 3.2.5 Deportation and forcible transfer of population p. 140
• 3.2.6 Other inhumane acts p. 141
• 4 War crimes p. 142
• 4.1 Contextual elements of war crimes p. 143
• 4.1.1 The concept of international armed conflict p. 144
• 4.1.2 The concept of internal armed conflict p. 146
• 4.1.3 Awareness of the existence of an armed conflict p. 151
• 4.2 Specific elements constituting war crimes p. 151
• 4.2.1 Directing an attack against the civilian population p. 151
• 4.2.2 Wilful killing p. 154
• 4.2.3 Murder p. 158
• 4.2.4 Torture p. 159
• 4.2.5 Destruction of enemy's property p. 160
• 4.2.6 Pillaging p. 162
• 4.2.7 Sexual slavery and rape p. 164
• 4.2.8 Inhuman treatment p. 166
• 4.2.9 Outrages upon personal dignity p. 167
• 4.2.10 Using, conscripting or enlisting children p. 168
• 4.3 Existence of a nexus between the armed conflict and the alleged crimes p. 174
• 5 Crime of aggression p. 175
• 5.1 Definition p. 175
• 5.2 Exercise of jurisdiction over the crime of aggression p. 176
• 5.3 Criminal responsibility p. 177
• Chapter 8 Rights of the Accused and Due Process p. 179
• 1 Introduction p. 179
• 2 Right of the accused to disclosure and inspection p. 179
• 2.1 Right to disclosure of exculpatory material p. 179
• 2.2 Disclosure of evidence underlying detention p. 184
• 2.3 Non-disclosure of the identities and identifying information of 'potential prosecution witnesses' p. 188
• 2.4 Right of the Defence to inspect material in possession or control of the Prosecutor p. 189
• 2.5 Disclosure of material obtained pursuant to Article 54(3)(e) of the Rome Statute p. 189
• 3 Right of the accused to be present at the trial p. 191
• 4 Right of the accused to remain silent p. 192
• 5 Rights of the accused in relation to languages p. 193
• 6 Right of the accused to expeditious proceedings p. 195
• 7 Right to legal representation p. 198
• 8 Interim release p. 201
• 8.1 Nature of the decision for interim release or continued detention p. 201
• 8.2 Relevant factors for the determination of interim release or continued detention p. 203
• 8.3 Release in case of a conditional stay of the proceedings p. 205
• 8.4 Duty to periodically review a decision on the release or detention of a suspect p. 207
• 8.5 Reasonable period of detention prior to confirmation of charges p. 209
• Chapter 9 Protection of Victims and Witnesses p. 213
• 1 The Prosecutor's power to take appropriate protective measures p. 213
• 2 Redactions p. 214
• 3 Relocation of witnesses p. 218
• 4 Non-disclosure of persons who may be placed at risk as a result of the activities of the Court p. 219
• 5 The Prosecutor's powers and duties of protection in emergency situations p. 223
• 6 Protection of potential 'prosecution witnesses' p. 224
• 7 Protection of the ICC staff p. 225
• 8 Summaries as a protective measure p. 226
• Chapter 10 Victims' Participation and Reparation p. 229
• 1 Victim-based justice p. 229
• 2 Victims defined p. 231
• 3 Victims' participation in Court proceedings p. 234
• 3.1 Personal interests of the victims p. 235
• 3.2 'Views and concerns' p. 237
• 4 Participation of victims under other provisions p. 238
• 4.1 Victims' participation under Article 15 of the Rome Statute p. 238
• 4.2 Victims' participation under Article 75 of the Rome Statute p. 239
• 4.3 Victims' participation under Article 68(1) and (2) of the Rome Statute p. 239
• 4.4 Victims' participation under Rule 93 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence p. 240
• 4.5 Victims' participation under Rule 143 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence p. 241
• 5 Victims with dual status p. 241
• 6 Stages of victims' participation p. 241
• 6.1 Victims' participation in the situation p. 241
• 6.2 Victims' participation at the confirmation of charges hearing p. 243
• 6.3 Victims' participation at trial p. 244
• 6.3.1 Right to lead evidence pertaining to the guilt or innocence of the accused and to challenge the admissibility or relevance of evidence p. 246
• 6.4 Victims' participation in appeals p. 250
• 6.5 Victims' participation at sentencing p. 255
• 6.6 Victims' participation at the determination of reparations p. 256
• 6.6.1 Principles on reparations p. 257
• Chapter 11 Appellate Jurisdiction and Stay of Proceedings p. 259
• 1 Appellate jurisdiction p. 259
• 1.1 Nature of appellate jurisdiction p. 259
• 1.2 Grounds of appeal p. 261
• 1.3 Scope of appellate jurisdiction p. 264
• 1.4 Nature and scope of interlocutory appeal p. 265
• 1.5 'Appeals' relating to confirmation of charges p. 267
• 1.6 Nature of remedies on appeal p. 268
• 1.7 The power of the Appeals Chamber to make suspensive effect p. 269
• 1.8 Discontinuance of the appeal p. 273
• 2 Stay of proceedings p. 274
• 2.1 General overview p. 274
• 2.2 Inherent power to stay proceedings at the ICC p. 275
• 2.3 The difference between stay of proceedings and adjournment p. 277
• 2.4 Stay of proceedings because of abuse of process p. 280
• 2.5 Timing of stay of proceedings p. 283
• 2.6 Stay of proceedings with respect to documents obtained on the basis of confidentiality agreements p. 285
• 2.7 Stay of proceedings with respect to rights encompassed in Article 67(l)(b) and (e) of the Statute p. 285
• 2.8 Stay of proceedings with regard to disclosure of identities of potentially exculpatory witnesses and their statements p. 286
• 2.9 Stay of proceedings for the suspect or the accused to secure services of new counsel p. 287
• 2.10 Stay of proceedings with regard cooperation and Defence access to exculpatory documents p. 287
• 2.11 Permanent vis-à-vis conditional stay of proceedings p. 288
• 2.12 Limitations of the Appeals Chamber with respect to stay of proceedings and other matters p. 290
• Glossary p. 291
• Bibliography p. 293
• Index p. 299