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Obstacles To The Creation Of A Permanent War Crimes Tribunal, Christopher L. Blakesley
Obstacles To The Creation Of A Permanent War Crimes Tribunal, Christopher L. Blakesley
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Individual liability for war crimes is difficult to enforce and is unlikely to be accepted uniformly by states.
Individual criminal responsibility is the cornerstone of any international war crimes tribunal. Nuremberg Principle I provides that “[a]ny person who commits an act which constitutes a crime under international law is responsible therefor and liable to punishment.” Acts by heads of state or other government officials, even if committed in an official capacity, may not constitute an immunity defense to or mitigate criminality. These officials, therefore, could also be held responsible for offenses committed pursuant to their orders. Additionally, liability for criminal …