NCJ Number
63080
Journal
American Journal of International Law Volume: 67 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1973) Pages: 508-511
Date Published
1973
Length
4 pages
Annotation
ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) IN FORMULATING INTERNATIONAL LAW TO SUPPRESS TERRORISM AND THE STUDY OF TERRORISM BY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT ARE NOTED.
Abstract
IN 1937, THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS PRODUCED TWO CONVENTIONS, ONE FOR THE PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF TERRORISM AND ANOTHER FOR THE CREATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT. INDIA WAS THE ONLY COUNTRY TO RATIFY THE FORMER CONVENTION, AND NO COUNTRY RATIFIED THE LATTER CONVENTION. THE INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION OF THE UN SUBMITTED THE DRAFT CODE OF OFFENSES AGAINST THE PEACE AND SECURITY OF MANKIND IN 1954. ANOTHER ORGAN OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DRAFTED A STATUTE FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT. CONSIDERATION OF THE CODE AND STATUTE WAS POSTPONED IN 1957 AND AGAIN IN 1968 UNTIL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMPLETED WORK ON THE DEFINITION OF AGGRESSION. SINCE ELABORATION OF THE CODE, UN ACTIVITIES TO DEAL WITH TERRORISM HAVE BEEN FRAGMENTED. AN UNOFFICIAL ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT IS DEVOTED TO STUDYING THE PROBLEM OF TERRORISM WITHIN THE BROAD FRAMEWORK OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND THE UN. A CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL CRIMES AND A STATUTE FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT HAVE BEEN DRAFTED BY THE FOUNDATION. THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL CRIMES INCLUDES HIJACKING, KIDNAPPING OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS, ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST INTERNATIONALLY PROTECTED PERSONS, INTERNATIONAL ACTS OF TERRORISM, ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFIC, AND INTERNATIONAL POLLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT. THE CONVENTION IS LINKED TO THE PROPOSED CRIMINAL COURT. THE FOUNDATION DRAFT ESTABLISHES AN OBLIGATION TO PROSECUTE, EXTRADITE, OR SURRENDER ALLEGED OFFENDERS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT, WHEREAS THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS DOCUMENT PROVIDED THAT OFFENDERS COULD BE COMMITTED FOR TRIAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT WITHOUT PROSECUTION OR EXTRADITION. THE FOUNDATION IS CONCERNED WITH AT LEAST OFFERING THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INTERNATIONAL PROCEEDING FOR CRIMES AFFECTING MORE THAN ONE STATE OR AN INTERNATIONAL SERVICE. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)