From 'raison d'État' to 'état de droit international' - Amnesties and the French implementation of the Rome Statute

International Criminal Law Review

Volumn 1, Issue 3-4, 2001, Pages 315-342

  Van Der Voort, Karlijn ^a   Zwanenburg, Marten ^a,b  

^a Faculty of Law   (Netherlands)

^b LEIDEN UNIVERSITY   (Netherlands)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 84856815022     PISSN: 1567536X     EISSN: 15718123     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1163/15718120121002649     Document Type: Article

References (69)

1. See D. F. Orentlicher, 'Settling Accounts: The Duty to Prosecute Human Rights Violations of a Prior Regime', The Yale Law Journal (100) 191, pp. 2537-2617;
2. and Prosecutor v. Furundzija, Judgement, Case No. IT-95-17/1-T, T. Ch. II, 10 December 1998.
3. See A. Boraine, J. Levy & R. Scheffer (eds.), Dealing with the Past. Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa (1997).
4. See for a discussion on this: S. R. Ratner & J. S. Abrams, Accountability for Human Rights Atrocities in International Law. Beyond the Nuremberg Legacy (1997), pp. 139-161. One example hereof is the case of former army commander Desi Bouterse, who faces trial in Suriname on account of murder and torture. See: Suriname to Try Ex-strongman Bouterse for Torture and Killings (http://www.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/americas/11/02/crime.suriname.reut) (visited Feb. 16, 2001).
5. See for more information: Cambodia: Amnesty International, International Community Should Ensure that Senior Khmer Rouge Leaders Are Brought to Justice (www.amnesty.org.uk/press/jun1997-camb.html) (visited Feb. 16, 2001).
6. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 78 UNTS 277(1951).
7. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 23 ILM 1027(1984).
8. C. J. Joyner, 'Redressing Impurity for Human Rights Violations: The Universal Declaration and the Search for Accountability', Denver Journal of International Law & Policy (26) 1998, p. 606.
9. M. P. Scharf, 'The Letter of the Law. The Scope of the International Legal Obligation to Prosecute Human Rights Crimes', Law and Contemporary Problems 1996, pp. 46-47.
10. R. v. Bow Street Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate and others, ex parte Pinochet Ugarte (No. 3) [1999] 2 A11 ER 97 (HL), at 110-111.
11. Another treaty that includes an obligation to prosecute is the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the International Crime of Apartheid of 30 November 1973, 1974 ILM 50.
12. Another treaty that includes an obligation to prosecute is the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the International Crime of Apartheid of 30 November 1973, 1974 ILM 50.
13. Another treaty that includes an obligation to prosecute is the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the International Crime of Apartheid of 30 November 1973, 1974 ILM 50.
14. Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Geneva, 12 August 1949, 75 UNTS 135(1950).
15. Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, Geneva, 12 August 1949, 75 UNTS 287(1950).
16. (Nicaragua v. the United States), June 27, 1986, ICJ 1986, p. 14.
17. 1977 Geneva Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts, 16 ILM 1391(1977)
18. and 1977 Geneva Protocol II Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts, 16 ILM 1442(1977).
19. This clause was historically intended to include the apartheid situation in South Africa and the Palestine issue, see J. Dugard, 'Is the Truth and Reconciliation Process Compatible with International Law? An Unanswered Question', South African Journal on Human Rights (13) 1997, p. 262.
20. See C. Pilloud et al., Commentary on the Additional Protocols (1987), para. 4618, (http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/WebCONVART?OpenView) (visited Feb. 23, 2001).
21. Prosecutor v. Dusko Tadic, Decision on the Defence Motion for Interlocutory Appeal on Jurisdiction, Case No. IT-94-1-AR72, A. Ch., 2 October 1995, para. 97.
22. Seventh Progress Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone of 30 July 1999, UN Doc. S/1999/836, para. 7.
23. Velasques Rodriguez v. Honduras, Judgment of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, 29 July 1988, 95 ILR 166.
24. See e.g.: Samuel Alfonso Catalan Lincoleo v. Chile, Case No. 11771, Report No. 60/01 of 16 April 2001, in which the Commission states at para 47: 'Some states, in seeking mechanisms for national peace and reconciliation, have enacted amnesty laws that have left victims of serious human rights violations helpless and have deprived them of the right to access to justice. The adoption and application of such provisions is incompatible with the obligations acquired under Articles 1(1) and 2 of the American Convention'.
25. See also Oscar Manuel Gramajo Lopez v. Guatemala, Case No 9207, Report No. 58/01 of 4 April 2001.
26. Orentlicher, supra note1, p. 2579.
27. General Comment on Article 7, Report of the Human Rights Committee, GAOR Supp. No. 40 (A/37/40), pp. 94-95.
28. Orentlicher, supra note 1, p. 2569.
29. See also e.g: Comments of the Human Rights Committee on the report submitted by Peru of 25 July 1996, UN Doc. CCPR/79/Add.67, para 9: 'The Committee is deeply concerned that the amnesty granted by Decree Law 26, 479 on 14 June 1995 absolved from criminal responsibility and, as a consequence, from all forms of accountability, all military, police and civilian agents of the State who are accused, investigated, charged, processed or convicted for common and military crimes for acts occasioned by the "war against terrorism" from May 1980 until June 1995'.
30. General Comment No. 20 (Article 7) of April 1992, UN Doc. CCPR/C21/Rev. 1/Add.3, para 15.
31. Reservations to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, Advisory Opinion of 28 May 1951, ICJ Rep. 1951, p. 15.
32. See e.g.: J. Dugard, 'Dealing with Crimes of a Past Regime. Is Amnesty Still an Option?', Leiden Journal of International Law (12) 1999-4, p. 1015;
33. M. Cherif Bassiouni, 'Accountability for International Crime and Serious Violations of Fundamental Human Rights: Searching for Peace and Achieving Justice: The Need for Accountability', Law & Contemporary Problems (59) 1996-3, p. 17.
34. See e.g.: Report of the Secretary-General Pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Security Council Resolution 808(1993) of 3 May 1993, UN Doc. S/25704, para. 37.
35. See e.g.: Orentlicher, supra note 1, at 2586;
36. C. Edelenbos, 'Human Rights Violations: A Duty to Prosecute?', Leiden Journal of International Law (12) 1994-3, p. 15.
37. Draft Code of Crimes against the Peace and Security of Mankind, Report of the International Law Commission on the Work of its Forty-eight Session, 51st Sess., Supp. No. 10, UN Doc. A/51/10(1996), Art. 6.
38. Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity of 26 November 1968, 8 ILM 68(1969).
39. Proceedings No. 10-93 (May 20, 1993)
40. reprinted in N. J. Kritz (ed.), Transitional Justice, Vol. 3, 1995 p. 549.
41. Priscilla Hayner stresses that the establishment of a truth commission does not need to be accompanied by an amnesty but can actually strengthen criminal proceedings. She admits, however, that: 'it is evident in many peace agreements of recent years, and in the descriptions of those who have been closely involved in many different peace negotiations, that there is a natural and close relationship - or certainly a perception of a close relationship - between nonjudicial truth inquiries and judicial investigations and prosecutions. If an amnesty has been agreed to or is already in place, peace negotiators or new democratic leaders may turn to the idea of a truth commission in search of some form of accounting for past abuses, or may try to modify the amnesty with powers given to a truth commission, for example', P. Hayner, Unspeakable Truths: Confronting State Terror and Atrocity (2001), p. 87.
42. AZAPO v. South Africa, Constitutional Court of South Africa, May 30-July 25, 1996, South African Law Review (4) 1996, pp. 683-684.
43. See J. Zalaquett, 'Balancing Ethical Imperatives and Political Constraints: The Dilemma of New Democracies Confronting Past Human Rights Violations', Hastings Law Journal (43) 1992, p. 1425.
44. S. Landsman, 'Alternative Responses to Serious Human Rights Abuses: Of Prosecution and Truth Commissions', Law & Contemporary Problems (59) 1996, pp. 84-85.
45. Adolf Hitler quoted in M. P. Scharf, 'The Amnesty Exception to the Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court', Cornell International Law Journal (32) 1999-3, p. 514.
46. B. Kingsbury, 'Foreword: Is the Proliferation of International Courts and Tribunals a Systemic Problem?', New York University Journal of International Law and Politics (31) 1998-' 99, p. 681.
47. M. M. Penrose, 'Lest We Fail: The Importance of Enforcement in International Criminal Law", American University International Law Review (15) 2000-2, p. 351.
48. Nonrecorded vote, see: M. H. Arsanjani, 'The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court', American Journal of International Law (93) 1999-1, p. 22.
49. See more extensively on article 16 of the Rome Statute: D. F. Orentlicher, 'Politics by Other Means: The Law of the International Criminal Court', Cornell International Law Journal (32) 1999-3, p. 496.
50. Scharf, supra note 48, p. 523.
51. Dugard, supra note 43, p. 1014.
52. Scharf, supra note 48, p. 524.
53. See: Report of the Preparatory Committee on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court, Vol. 1, p. 40 (para. 174)
54. (Proceedings of the Preparatory Committee during March-April and August 1996)
55. See for more information on the ne bis in idem principle and the ICC: G. Strijards, 'The Institution of the International Criminal Court', Leiden Journal of International Law (12) 1999-3, pp. 679-680.
56. B. Broomhall, 'The International Criminal Court: Overview, and Cooperation with States', Nouvelles É tudes Pénales, ICC Ratification and National Implementing Legislation (special issue) 1999, p. 80.
57. Decision No. 98-408 DC, Traité portant statut de la Cour penale internationale, 22 January 1999.
58. Assembleé Nationale, No. 1501, Rapport fait au nom de la Commission des Lois Constitutionnels, de la Legislation et de l'Administration Generale de la Republique sur le Projet de Loi Constitutionelle (No. 1462) inserant au titre VI de la Constitution un article 53-2 et relatif a la Cour penale internationale, par M. Alain Vidalies, Depute, at www.assemblee- nationale.fr/2/rapports/r 1401.htm (Vidalies report).
59. Sénat, Séance du 29 avril 1999, Cour pénale internationale, Adoption d'un projet de loi constitutionelle, at www.senat.fr/seances/s199904/s19990429/sc19990429019.html. (Senat plenary session.)
60. Rapport d'Information No. 313 (98-99), fait au nom de la Commission des Affaires Etrangères, de la Défense et des Forces Armées sur la Cour pénale internationale, par M. André Dulait, Sénateur, at www.senat.fr/rap/r98-313/r98-313-mono.html (Foreign Affairs Commission report).
61. Rapport No. 318 (98-99) fait au nom de la Commission des Lois Constitutionelles, de Législation, du Suffrage Universel, du Règlement et d'Administration Générale sur le Projet de Loi Constitutionelle, Adopté par l'Assemblée Nationale, insérant au titre VI de la Constitution un article 53-2 et rélatif à la Cour pénale internationale, par M. Robert Badinter, at www.senat.fr/rap/198-318/198-3180.html (Badinter report).
62. Congrès du Parlement, Compte rendu, lundi 28 juin 1999, at: www.assembleenationale.fr/2/cra/98-99/99062809.htm (Congres minutes).
63. Foreign Affairs Commission Report, p. 11.
64. Badinter Report, at II (B) (2) (c).
65. Kamerstukken II 2000/01, 27 484 (R 1669), nr. 3 (MvT).
66. Kamerstukken II 2000/01, 27 484 (R 1669), nr. 3 (MvT).
67. Recommendation to the Storting, S. No. 94 (1999-2000), Proposition No. 24 (1999-2000), at www.igc.org/icc/html/norwayrecommendation.html.
68. See, e.g. the Preamble to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the 1993 United Nations Conference on Human Rights.
69. M. Cottier, 'Switzerland', in C. Kreß & F. Lattanzi (eds.), The Rome Statute and Domestic Legal Orders, Volume I, p. 244.