JOURNAL ARTICLE

A Short History of Prosecuting Crimes under International Law in Germany.

  • Published In: Journal of International Criminal Justice, 2023, v. 21, n. 4. P. 779 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Jeßberger, Florian 3 of 3

Abstract

This article reviews the 20-year history of the German Code of Crimes against International Law (Völkerstrafgesetzbuch, CCAIL), focusing on Germany's prosecution of international crimes from the post-World War II period to the present. It outlines four historical phases—standstill, build-up, implementation, and consolidation—highlighting key prosecutions related to Nazi atrocities, state crimes in the former German Democratic Republic, war crimes from the Yugoslav conflicts, and dictatorship crimes in Argentina. The CCAIL, enacted in 2002, established universal jurisdiction for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, though its practical application was initially slow and politically cautious. Since around 2017, prosecutions have increased significantly, particularly concerning crimes committed in the Middle East, with Germany adopting a "no safe haven" policy to prevent impunity. Despite progress, the article notes ongoing challenges, including selective prosecution and political constraints, and calls for continued efforts by German judicial authorities to ensure consistent enforcement of international criminal law.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of International Criminal Justice. 2023/09, Vol. 21, Issue 4, p779
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Film
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:1478-1387
  • DOI:10.1093/jicj/mqad039
  • Accession Number:175672131
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of International Criminal Justice is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.