In the prospect of an international criminal court lies the promise of universal justice : perspectives from the Holy See

Abstract

Without Criminal law no crime would exist, since there can be no crime without law. Where the statute provides for crime and its punishment any alleged offender may be charged or accused with the commission of such offence. Resolution 260 of the General Assembly of the 9th of December 1948 lay down that: 'Recognizing that all periods of history Genocide has inflicted great losses on humanity; and being convinced that, in order to liberate mankind from such an odious scourge, international cooperation is required.' Crimes against humanity, genocide or ethnic cleansing, has even accorded general recognition to the obligation which are incumbent upon States towards the international community as a whole "obligationes erga omnes" which it describes as follows: 'Such obligations derives in contemporary international law, from the outlawing of acts of aggression, and of genocide, as also from the principles and rules concerning the basic rights of the human person, including protection from slavery and racial discrimination.' The ethos of every human being is to protect human life, dignity, well-being, security and freedom.