Despite the efforts of world leaders to limit conflicts and recognize the crime of aggression, international courts have not been given jurisdiction to enforce basic human rights laws on the crime of aggression.
Sovereignty rights and how they play out in protecting aggressive actions will be the topic at the noon Herzog Lecture on April 14. Guest presenter Benjamin B. Ferencz will address the question of “The Illegal Use of Force as a Crime Against Humanity.”
Ferencz is the last surviving prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials following World War II. It was there that the waging of aggressive war was branded “the supreme international crime” and afterward the United Nations began creating the International Criminal Court to help maintain future peace. The ICC deals only with genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression, but even with that specific scope several major powers were unwilling to accept international judicial review of their perceived sovereign right to wage war. The United States signed the treaty but Congress has never officially ratified it.
Ferencz, a distinguished expert and speaker on international human rights and war crimes, argues that leaders who, without lawful justification and with the requisite knowledge and intent, are responsible for foreseeable large-scale civilian casualties should be accused of crimes against humanity. He believes the leaders should be held accountable for fair trial in a competent national or international court of law.
The annual Herzog Lecture is free, but reservations are required and can be made at https://events.jmls.edu/registration/node/504
