This course treats the foundations of international criminal law. It traces the historical evolution (e.g. the Nuremberg and Tokyo precedents), the objectives and the relevant legal sources of international criminal law. It distinguishes classical horizontal approaches (e.g. extradition, mutual legal assistance) from vertical international criminal law (e.g. law of international criminal courts and tribunals). It further studies the substantive crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, aggression) as well as general principles of international criminal law (modes of liability, grounds excluding criminal responsibility) and impediments to investigation and prosecution (e.g. immunities, amnesties), based on contemporary treaty-law and the international practice. The course is designed to develop a critical understanding of law and jurisprudence and will provide ample room for discussion, practical exercises and interaction with invited lecturers.
Course dates:
Lectures (Prof. Schabas) on 17 October 13.30-17:00 hrs (plus movie until 18.30) , 18 October 10:00-13:00 hrs, 30 October 14:00-17:00 hrs (plus movie until 19:00 hrs), 31 October, 8 and 22 November 10:00-13:00 hrs at Campus The Hague;
Working groups (Joe Powderly): Thursday 1 November 10:00-12:00 hrs, C006; 14 November 09:00:11:00/13:00-15:00 (2 groups), B017, 29 November 13:00-15:00, C006, and 4 December 10:00-12:00/13:00-15:00 (2 groups), C006, KOG Leiden.
Examination: Research Paper; ICL Moot Court on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 December at Campus The Hague, all day.
Study material: Course reader