Creating an International Prison (Book Chapter)

Document Type

Book Section

Publication Date

1-2016

ISBN

9781783472154

DOI

10.4337/9781783472161.00032

Abstract

Where do individuals sentenced by an international criminal court go to serve their sentence? Currently, the answer is: ‘it depends’. It depends on which international tribunal convicted the individual, which States have entered a cooperation agreement to enforce sentences with the particular tribunal, and, which State the tribunal believes is the best fit for that particular individual. Because there is currently no international prison or single location to enforce the criminal sentences imposed by international tribunals, where a convict serves their sentence is a constant uncertainty. There have been many advancements in international criminal law within the past three decades, including the development of ad hoc Tribunals to try those accused of war crimes or crimes against humanity. The ad hoc Tribunals have diminished immunity for some of the world’s most heinous crimes (excluding terrorism and human trafficking). Ratification of the Rome Statute, which created the ICC, ensures a permanent approach to combating international crimes: individuals accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity will either be prosecuted in a court of law or ostracized. This new era of accountability has resulted in the international prosecutions of high-profile defendants and former heads of State. But, there remain critical enforcement shortcomings in the current system. The ICC is literally just a court, a building with judges, lawyers and staff, with no enforcement mechanisms to secure arrests or effectuate sentences.

First Page

423

Last Page

444

Num Pages

22

Series

Research Handbooks in International Law

Series Title

Research Handbook on the International Penal System

Publisher

Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc.

Series Editor

Róisín Mulgrew and Denis Abels

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