From sovereign impunity to international accountability : the search for justice in a world of states

This book explores the progress, scope, and controversies of holding political leaders accountable for international crimes. "The last century has seen the role of law and justice in governance extend beyond the realm of individual nations. Its significance, both regionally and globally, is illustrated by the developments made in international law, especially with regard to the recognition of international human rights, universal jurisdiction, and additional international crimes. However, the significant advances with regard to the international recognition of humanitarian law and the ending of impunity for war criminals stand in real danger of being reversed?" —From the foreword by Justice Richard J. Goldstone " The way from the opening of a mass grave to proving a political leader responsible is long and complex, and success is by no means ensured. In cases like this, a criminal trial may not always provide the best instrument for memory and healing—especially if the leader must be released because of the lack of formal evidence. On the other hand, if releasing the leader is excluded at the outset, then the legitimacy of the trial may be questioned..." —From the Preface by Martti Ahtisaari From Impunity To Accountability : Forces Of Transformation And The Changing International Human Rights Context / Paul G. Lauren -- From The Nuremberg Charter To The Rome Statute : A Historical Analysis Of The Limits Of International Criminal Accountability / Michael D. Biddiss -- International Criminal Justice And The United States : Law, Culture, Power / David P. Forsythe -- Violations Of Human Rights And Humanitarian Law And Threats To International Peace And Security / George J. Andreopoulos -- The Individual Within International Law / Michail Wladimiroff -- Gender-related Crimes : A Feminist Perspective / Christine Chinkin -- International Criminal Courts And The Admissibility Of Evidence / Bert Swart -- Balancing The Rights Of The Accused With The Imperatives Of Accountability / William A. Schabas -- We The People : The Position Of Ngos In Gathering Evidence And Giving Witness At International Criminal Trials / Helen Durham -- Democracy, Global Governance, And The International Criminal Court / Madeline H. Morris -- Reconciling Fractured Societies : An African Perspective On The Role Of Judicial Prosecutions / Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu -- Demystifying Osama Bin Laden : Fair Trials For International Terrorists / Geoffrey Robertson -- The Complexity Of International Criminal Law : Looking Beyond Individual Responsibility To The Responsibility Of Organizations, Corporations, And States / Andrew Clapham -- The International Criminal Court And The Prohibition Of The Use Of Children In Armed Conflict / Julia Maxted -- The International Criminal Court : Obstacle Or Contribution To An Effective System Of Human Rights Protection? / Cees Flinterman -- Dealing With Guilt Beyond Crime : The Strained Quality Of Universal Justice / Ramesh Thakur. Edited By Ramesh Thakur And Peter Malcontent. Thoroughly Revised And Updated Papers From A Conference Held In Utrecht, 26-28 November 2001. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. From the perspective of human rights, the last decade of the twentieth century may be regarded as a turbulent period characterized by positive as well as negative developments.