CYIL Vol. 4, 2013

UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION: A TOOL AGAINST IMPUNITY

UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION: AS A TOOL AGAINST IMPUNITY

Petra Baumruk

Abstract: Ending impunity for perpetrators of serious international crimes is vital. The primary objective of the following article is to give an overview of the principle of universal jurisdiction as a tool against impunity in international criminal law. It identifies how the principle can play an important role in the fight against those who commit serious offences such as crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide and acts of terrorism. The nature of universal jurisdiction is analyzed with regard to the doctrine of aut dedere aut judicare . Possible impediments to the exercise of universal jurisdiction are briefly described. Resumé: Ukončení beztrestnosti pachatelů závažných trestních činu je velmi dů- ležité. Hlavním cílem následujícího článku je podat přehled o principu univerzální jurisdikce jako nástroji proti beztrestnosti v mezinárodním trestním právu. Článek ukazuje, jak tento princip může hrát důležitou roli v boji proti těm, kteří se dopou- štějí závažných trestných činů, jako například zločiny proti lidskosti, válečné zloči- ny, genocidy a teroristických zločinů. Povaha univerzální jurisdikce je analyzována s ohledem na doktrínu aut dedere aut judicare . Možnosti omezení pro uplatnění univerzální jurisdikce jsou stručně popsány. Key words: Universal Jurisdiction – Jus cogens – Erga omnes – Heinous offences – Impunity – Aut dedere aut judicare – International cooperation On the Author: Mgr. Petra Baumruk, LL.M., is an Icelandic law student currently pursuing her Ph.D. studies at the Charles University, Faculty of Law, where she is concentrating on the branch of Public International Law. Her final thesis will be on the issue of Universal Jurisdiction. In February 2013 she completed her LL.M. programme at Charles University, where her main emphasis was on International Human Rights and Environmental Protection. Her final thesis was on “Right to a Healthy Environment as a Human Right”. In June 2010 she graduated from the University of Iceland, Faculty of Law, within the field of Public International Law, with her final thesis on “International Law on Immunities: where are we heading for?”