Conference report - Reigning in impunity for international crimes and serious violations of fundamental human rights

Abstract

The demands and expectations of the international community are changing constantly - there was a time when we used to think that an international Convention on Torture was unattainable. Today an international Convention on Torture is in force and is actually being implemented. The time has now come to say "no" to impunity. We can no longer have amnesties for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and serious violations of human rights. Bringing to justice perpetrators of such crimes is of the essence, but to do this a permanent international criminal court must be set up. In this context, the expectations of the international community are high and geared towards the proper functioning of a permanent institution having the powers to investigate, try and punish criminals of the stature of Karadzic. [excerpt]