International criminal law

Abstract

This chapter explains the notion and importance of international criminal law within the broader context of public international law in upholding fundamental values shared by the international community. It sheds light on the rationale and origin of the principle of individual criminal responsibility in international law, its relationship with responsibility of States for internationally wrongful acts, and the mechanisms (direct and indirect) for its implementation. It finally traces the main stages of its historical evolution from World War I to the present day, through the tremendous developments in the aftermath of World War II and during the post-1990 years. Two sub-chapters are devoted to the doctrinal foundations of international crimes and the prosecution of these crimes. The first sub-chapter distinguishes Rome Statute crimes from other international crimes and presents the doctrinal requirements of each international crime. The second sub-chapter looks at the contemporary praxis of adjudicating criminal responsibility in international and domestic courts.