Andreas Zimmermann, Prosecuting the Crime of Genocide

The article analyses the question what role domestic courts, the various international criminal tribunals, as well as the International Court of Justice may play with regard to the prosecution of the crime of genocide. In particular, it focuses on the question as to whether national courts may exercise universal jurisdiction and whether they have to grant immunity to holders of public officials such as heads of States or governments. Besides – apart from focusing on the jurisprudence of the two ad-hoc tribunals – it also describes the current genocide cases pending before the ICJ and namely the question whether a reservation may be entered with regard to Art. IX, providing for the jurisdiction of the Court.

Keywords: Genocide Convention; International Court of Justice: International law; International Criminal Responsibility; Immunity; Succession to Human Rights Treaties; Reservations