Commonwealth Secretariat
  1. Home
  2. What's New
  3. Who We Are
  4. What We Do
    1. Democracy
    2. Economics
    3. Education
    4. Gender
    5. Governance
    6. Health
    7. Human Rights
    8. Law
    9. Small States
    10. Sport
    11. Sustainability
    12. Youth
    13. Millennium Development Goals
    14. Funding
  5. News
    1. Events
    2. News Archive Search
    3. Picture Stories
  6. Media Room
    1. Press Archive Search
    2. Media Contacts
    3. Video
    4. Events
    5. In the Media
    6. Updates
    7. Downloads
  7. Resources
    1. Documents
    2. Image Library
    3. Libary & Archives
    4. Publications
  8. Publications
  9. Employment
  10. FAQs
    1. Acronyms
  11. Contact Us

New Publication: The Prosecution of International Crimes

30 June 2005

Prosecution of International Crimes
With the coming into force of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 1 July 2002, a new era of international criminal justice began. For the first time, a permanent international court has been established with jurisdiction to try individuals for the most serious crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. A new publication by the Commonwealth Secretariat, 'The Prosecution of International Crimes: A Practical Guide to Prosecuting ICC Crimes in Commonwealth States', examines the role of the ICC and the doctrines of international criminal law.

The ICC is intended to complement national jurisdictions and will only take on cases when states with jurisdiction over the relevant crime(s) are either unwilling or unable to conduct the prosecution. Thus, the vast majority of the cases will be investigated and prosecuted by domestic authorities in domestic courts. This has significant ramifications for the police, prosecutors, defence counsel and judicial authorities within states who may be called upon to investigate, prosecute, defend or adjudicate on such matters as well as render various types of assistance to the ICC.

In his foreword, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon says: "The aim of the ICC and the prosecution of international crimes is to achieve peace through justice. It is our hope that this guide will help further efforts towards full implementation of the Rome Statute and make a positive contribution to the ongoing endeavours of Commonwealth states to end impunity for those who commit the most serious of crimes. This guide can help build domestic capacity within Commonwealth countries to conduct prosecutions of international crimes."

This publication is intended to assist domestic authorities within Commonwealth countries in meeting this challenge by providing practical information about the court, the relevant principles of international law and new laws adopted in each state. Part I takes the reader through the structure of ICC, issues relating to jurisdiction, an outline of the crimes, a description of the co-operation regime and general principles of international humanitarian law. Part II looks at national legislation that has been adopted to date.

It is hoped that this publication will serve as an important guide for legal professionals and all those working in the criminal justice system, to enable them to become familiar with the practical realities involved in ending impunity for those who have committed the gravest of international crimes.

This book will be launched by Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha at the Secretariat's headquarters in London, UK, on 30 June 2005.

ISBN: 0-85092-817-6; 234 pages; price: £17.99

HOW TO ORDER
 
This title can be bought online at www.publications.thecommonwealth.org/.
 
A full catalogue of Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation publications can be viewed on the website, which provides a secure online buying facility, and orders can also be made through e-mail or by post. Pre-payment is essential. Payment by sterling cheque, international money order, postal order or bank draft must accompany your order.
 
Payment should be in sterling, drawn on a UK bank and made out to the Commonwealth Secretariat. If you require the order form as an attachment in Word format please e-mail Domini Bingham of the Publications Section (see address below). Post and packaging charges should be added to every order in the following way: UK orders: 15 per cent of order value (minimum charge £2.00). Non-UK orders: 25 per cent of order value (minimum charge £3.50).
 
Send orders to: Domini Bingham, Publications Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6534; Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081; E-mail: d.bingham@commonwealth.int

 

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 241, 29 June 2005

Share this page
About this