2004 International Best Applicant Memorial
2004 International Best Applicant Memorial
2004 International Best Applicant Memorial
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The 2004 Philip C. Jessup
International Law Moot Court Competition
Kingdom of Arkam
V.
State of Randolfia
CASE CONCERNING
THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
KINGDOM OF ARKAM
(APPLICANT)
V.
STATE OF RANDOLFIA
(RESPONDENT)
2004
Table of Contents
1. Res. 2241 is in Accordance with and Justifiable under International Law ............................ 1
4. Arkam has Exclusive Jurisdiction over Curwen, Which it has not Expressly Waived .......... 6
B. The Exercise Of Jurisdiction By The ICC Over A National Of A State Not Party To The
Rome Statute Violates The VCLT And Customary International Law ............................... 7
1. The Exercise of Jurisdiction over Curwen Would Breach Article 34 of the VCLT ........ 7
2. The Exercise of Jurisdiction over Curwen Cannot be Accepted under Custom ............... 8
C. Given The Ongoing Investigation By The Arkamian TRC Into The Acts Of Mr. Curwen
Described In The Indictment, The Exercise Of Jurisdiction Over Him By The ICC Would
Violate The Principle Of Complementarity ............................................................................. 11
A. Neither West Nor His Allegedly Criminal Conduct Demonstrate The Necessary Nexus
W ith A State Party To The ICC Statute ............................................................................. 16
B. West's Actions Preceded The Date On Which The Rome Statute Entered Into Force With
Respect To Leng And Randolfia And Are Thus Barred From The ICC's Consideration ....... 19
C. West's Alleged Acts Do Not Constitute A Crime Within The Competence Of The ICC... 19
1. West is not Responsible for the Crime of Incitement to Commit Genocide ................... 19
a. West cannot be held responsible under the doctrine of superior responsibility ....... 20
ii. West had no reason to know that other GALA members would incite genocide ...... 21
b. West was not an accomplice of the GALA members who incited genocide ......... 22
2. West is not Responsible for Genocide nor Attempted Genocide .................................... 24
Al Amnesty International
Ann. Surv. Int'l & Comp. L. Annual Survey of International and Comparative Law
AP Associated Press
Ariz. J. Int'l & Comp. L. Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law
B.C. Third World L.J. Boston College Third World Law Journal
Can. J.L. Rev. & Juris. Canadian Journal of Law Review & Jurisprudence
Const. Constitution
Cornell Int'l L.J. Cornell International Law Journal
Doc. Document(s)
e.g. ex gratia
Paragraph or paragraphs
Prov. Provisional
Rep. Report(s)
SC Security Council
SC Res. Security Council Resolution
UN United Nations
USAFA J. Leg. Stud. United States Air Force Academy Journal of Legal Studies
V. Versus
Aerial Incident of July 27 1955, (US. v. Bulg.), ICJ Rep., (1959) ............................. 7
Ahlstr5m Osakeyhti6 and Others v. Commission (In re Wood Pulp Cartel). (Op. Darmon),
CJE C , (1988) ............................................................................................. 16
Anglo Norwegian Fisheries Case (UK v. Nor), ICJ Rep., (1951) ................................ 11
Arrest Warrant of 11 April 2000, (Sep.Op. Judge Guillaume), (Congo v. Beig.), ICJ Rep.,
(2000) ...................................................................................................... 10
Arrest Warrant of 11 April 2000 (Joint Sep.Op. Judges Higgins, Kooijmans &
Buergenthal), (Congo v. Belg.), ICJ Rep., (2000) .......................................... 10
Lockerbie Case (Libya v. US), (Dis.Op. Judge Jennings), ICJ Rep., (1992) ...... 4
Lockerbie Case, (Libya v. US), (Dis.Op. Judge Weeramantry), ICJ Rep., (1992)... 1, 4
Case Concerning the Legal Consequences for States of the Continued Presence of South
Africa in Namibia (South West Africa) Notwithstanding Security Council Resolution 276
(Ad.Op.), ICJ Rep., (1971) ................................................................ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Namibia Case, (Sep.Op. Judge De Castro), (Ad.Op.), ICJ Rep., (1971) ................. I
Case Concerning the Northern Cameroons (Cameroon. v. UK), ICJ Rep., (1963) ....... 4
Case of Certain Norwegian Loans (Fr. v. Nor.), ICJ Rep., (1956) ............................... 24
Case Concerning Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Ad.Op.), 34 ICJ Rep.,
(1962) ................................................................................................. 1,2,4
Free Zones of Upper Savoy and the District of Gex Case, (Second Phase), (Fr. v. Sw), PCIJ,
19 32).......................................................................... 7
Gary Hermosilla et al, Case No. 10843, I/AC.HR, (1996) ......................................... 15
Island of Palmas Case, (Neth. v. US), PCA, 2 RIAA 829, (1928) .............................. 7, 19
Legality of the Use by a State of Nuclear Weapons in Armed Conflict (Ad.Op.), ICJ Rep.,
(19 96) ......................................................................................................................................... 1
Mavrommatis Palestine Concessions Case, (Greece v. UK), PCIJ, Series A, No. 5, (1925)...25
Minquiers and Ecrehos Case, (Merits), (Fr. v. UK), ICJ Rep., (1953) ........................... 19
North Sea Continental Shelf Case, (Ger. v. Den; Ger. v. Neth), ICJ Rep., (1969) .............. 11
Prosecutor v. Akayesu, (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, (2 Sep. 1998) ......................... 17, 22, 23
Prosecutor v. Aleksovski. (Trial Chamber I), ICTY, (25 Jun. 1999) .......................... 20
Prosecutor v. Bagilishema, (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, (17 Jun. 2001) ................... 20, 21, 22
Prosecutor v. Blaskic, (Trial Chamber), ICTY, (3 Mar. 2000) ....................... 15, 21, 22, 23
Prosecutor v. Delalic, Mucic et al. (Trial Chamber), ICTY, (16 Nov. 1998)..15, 19, 20, 21, 22
Prosecutor v. Galic, (Trial Chamber I), ITCY, (5 Dec. 2003) ................................. 20, 21
Prosecutor v. Kaieliieli, (Trial Chamber II), ICTR, (1 Dec. 2003) ....................... 17, 20, 22
Prosecutor v. Kayishema and Ruzindana, (Trial Chamber), ICTR, (21 Jun. 1999) ........ 21, 23
Prosecutor v. Kordic & Cerkez, (Trial Chamber III), ICTY, (26 Feb. 2001) ............... 17
Prosecutor v. Kunarac et al, (Trial Chamber), ICTY, (22 Feb. 2001) ........................ 21
Prosecutor v. Musema (Trial Chamber), ICTR, (27 Jan. 2000) .............................. 20, 21
Prosecutor v. Nahimana et al (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, (3 Dec. 2003) ..................... 17, 24
Prosecutor v. Naletilic and Martinovic, (Trial Chamber), ICTY, (31 Mar. 2003) ......... 21, 23
Prosecutor v. Niyitegeka, (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, (16 May 2003) ........................ 17, 21
Prosecutor v. Ntakirutimana et al, (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, (21 Feb. 2003) ............... 21
Prosecutor v. Ruggiu, (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, (11 Jun. 2000) .................................. 17
Prosecutor v. Semanza (Trial Chamber), ICTR, (15 May 2003) ............................. 21, 22
Spanish Zone of Morocco Claims, (UK v. Spain), 2 RIAA 615, 2 ILR, (1928) ................. 24
Territorial Jurisdiction of the River Ode Commission, (Czechoslovakia, Den, UK, Fr,
Sweden, Pol), PCIJ, (1929) ................................ ...................................... 7
Velsquez Rodriguez Case, I/ACtHR, Series C, No. 4, (29 Jul. 1988) ........................ 15
National Case-Law
Regina v. Bartle ex parte Pinochet, Lord Slynn of Hadley, Eng. H.L ......................... 9
Ambos & Guerrero (eds.), El Estatuto de Roma de la Corte Penal Internacional, Universidad
Externado de Colombia, (1999)
Arteaga, Derecho Penal Venezolano, 9th ed., McGraw Hill, (2001) ........................ 17, 18
Bailey & Daws, The Procedure of the UN Security Council Oxford, (1998) ................ 3
Brownlie, Principles of Public International Law 5th ed., Oxford, (1998) .............. 11, 12, 18
Cassese, International Criminal Law, Oxford, (2003) ................................. 12, 14, 17, 18
Cassese, Gaeta & Jones (eds), The Statute of the International Criminal Court: A
Commentary Oxford, (2002)
Conforti, The Law and Practice of the United Nations Kluwer Law International,
(2000) ................................................................................................. 3,4
Fitzmaurice, The Law and Procedure of the International Court of Justice, Cambridge, Vol. 2,
(1986) ...................................................................................................... 25
Hayner, Truth Commissions: Exhuming the Past, Vol. 32 Issue 2, (1998) .................. 13
Hayner, Unspeakable Truths, Confronting State Terror and Atrocities, Appendix I, 2001 .... 14
Jimdnez de Asfia, Tratado de Derecho Penal Vol. III, Losada, 3 rd ed., (1964) .............. 18
Ratner & Abrams, Accountability for Human Rights Atrocities in International Law, Oxford,
(200 1)...................................................................................................... 12, 13, 24
Reisman (ed.), Jurisdiction in International Law The Library of Essays in International Law,
(1999)
Akehurst, Jurisdiction in International Law ................................................. 16
Reuter, Introduction to the Law of Treaties Kegan Paul International, (1995) ............... 8
Schweigman, The Authority of the Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter
Kluwer Law International, (2001) ................................................................. 1, 2, 5
Soler, Derecho Penal Argentino, Vol. I, 2nd ed., Tipogrdifica Editora Argentina, (1953) ...... 17
Sosa, Teorfa General de Derecho Penal. 2 nd ed., Ediciones Liber, (2000) ................... 17, 18
Triffierer (ed.), Commentary on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. (1999)
Wallace, International Law. Sweet & Maxwell, 3rd ed., (1997) ........................... 8, 12
Watts, The International Law Commission 1949-1998. Vol. II, Oxford, (1999) ............ 7
Essays, Articles and Journals
Akhavan, The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda: the Politics and Pragmatics of
Punishment. 90 AJIL, (1996) ....................................................................... 17
Aptel & Williamson, A Commentary on the Musema Judgment Rendered by the United
Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, 1 Melb. J. Int'l L., (2000) ....... 20
Arnaut, When in Rome... ? The International Criminal Court and Venues of US Participation,
43 V a. J. Int'l L., (2003) ........................................................................... 8, 9
Balderson Jr., Temporal Units of Prosecution and Continuous Acts: Judicial and
Constitutional Limitations, 36 San Diego L. Rev., (1999) ..................................... 18
Boed, The Effect of a Domestic Amnesty on the Ability of Foreign States to Prosecute
Alleged Perpetrators of Serious Human Rights Violations 33 Cornell Int'l L. J., (2000).....14
Bowett, The Impact of Security Council Decisions and Dispute Settlement Procedures, 5
EJIL, (1994) ............................................................................................. 5
Brown, US Objections to the Statute of the International Criminal Court: a Brief Response
31 N .Y .U . J. Int'l L., (1999) ......................................................................... 9
Damaska, The Shadow Side of Command Responsibility, 49 Am. J. Comp. L., (2002) ...... 22
Franck, The Powers of Appreciation: Who is the Ultimate Guardian of the UN Legality? 86
A JIL, (1992) ............................................................................................ 6
FreudenschuB, Article 39 of the UN Charter Revisited: Threats to the Peace and the Recent
Practice of the UN Security Council 46 Aus. J. Pub. Int'l L, (1993) ........................... 3
Gowland & Debas, The Relationship Between the International Court of Justice and the
Security Council in Light of the Lockerbie Case 88 AJIL, (1994) ............................. 5
Grispigni, L'Evento come Elemento Costitutivo del Reato Annali di Diritto e Procedura
Penale II, (1934) ...................................................................................... 17
Harris, The United States and the International Criminal Court: Legal Potential for non-Party
State Jurisdiction, 23 Hawaii L. Rev., (2000) ..................................................... 9
Haffher, et al, A Response to the American View as Presented by Ruth Wedgwood 10 EJIL,
(1999) ................................................................................................. . . 9
Herdegen, The Constitutionalization of the UN Security System 27 Vand. J. Transnat'l L.,
(1994) ....................................................................................................... 2
Holcombe, The United States Becomes a Signatory to the Rome Treaty Establishing the
International Criminal Court: Why are so Many Concerned by this Action?, Mont. L. Rev.,
(2 00 1)....................................................................................................... 8
Jody, Truth Commission in El Salvador and Guatemala: A Proposal for Truth in Guatemala.
B. C. Third W orld L. J., (1997) ........................................................................ 13
Joyner, Arresting Impunity: The Case for Universal Jurisdiction in Bringing War Criminals
to Accountability 59 L. & Contemp. Probs., (1996) ............................................ 16
Kadish, Complicity, Cause and Blame: a Study in the Interpretation of Doctrine 73 Calif. L.
R ev., (1985) .......................................................................................... 17, 23
Klosterman, The Feasibility and Property of a Truth Commission in Cambodia: Too Little?
Too Late?, Ariz. J. Int'l. & Comp. L., (1998) ..................................................... 6, 14
May & Powles, Command Responsibility - A New Basis of Criminal Liability in English
Law, Criminal L. Rev., (2002) ...................................................................... 22
Moore, The Morality of Criminal Law: a Symposium in Honor of Professor Sandy Kadish:
The Metaphysics of Causal Intervention 88 Cal. L. Rev., (2000) ............................ 23
Morris, The United States and the International Criminal Court: High Crimes and
Misconceptions: the ICC and non Party States, 64 L. & Contemp. Probs., (2001) ....... 8, 9, 10
Schabaker, Reconciliation or Justice and Ashes Amnesties Commissions and the Duty to
Punish Human Rights Offences, 12 NY L. Rev., (1999) ....................................... 14
Schabas, Hate Speech in Rwanda: The Road to Genocide. 46 McGill L.J., (2000) ...... 17
Scharf, Swapping Amnesty for Peace: Was There a Duly to Prosecute International Crimes in
Haiti?, Tex. Int'l L. J., (1996) ..................................................................... 14, 15
Scharf, The United States and the International Criminal Court: the ICC's Jurisdiction over
the Nationals of non-Party States: a Critique of the US Position. 64 L. & Contemp. Probs.,
(2001) ................................................................................................. . . 8
Scharf, Universal Jurisdiction: Myths, Realities, and Prospects: Application of Treaty-Based
Universal Jurisdiction to Nationals of non-Party States 35 New Eng. L. Rev., (2001) ......... 9
Slye, The Legitimacy of Amnesties Under International Law and General Principles of
Anglo-American Law: Is a Legitimate Amnesty Possible?, Va. J. Int'l L., (2002) ............. 14
Stein, The Approach of a Different Drummer: The Principle of the Persistent Objector and
International Law Harv. Int'l L. J., (1985) ........................................................... 11
Strapatsas, Universal Jurisdiction and the International Criminal Court 29 Man. L. J.,
(2002) ............................................................................................... 9, 12
Summers, The International Court of Justice's Decision in Congo v. Belgium: How Has it
Affected the Development of a Principle of Universal Jurisdiction that Would Obligate All
States to Prosecute War Criminals?, B.U. Int'l L. J., (2003) ........................................ 9
Van der Vyver, Personal and Territorial Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, 14
Em ory Int'l L. R ev., (2000) ............................................................................ 11
Conflict: Toward a World Public Order of Human Dignity 93 AJIL, (1999) ............... 13
Zemach, Fairness and Moral Judgments in International Criminal Law: the Settlement
Provision in the Rome Statute, 41 Colum. J. Transt'l L., (2003) .................................. 10
Treaties
European Convention on the Transfer and Proceedings in Criminal Matters, ETS 73, (30 Mar.
19 78)..................................................................... 10
ICC Statute, UN Doc. A/CONF.183/9, (1 Jul. 2002) ......................... 11, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22
Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (ARS), UNGAR
56/83, (12 Dec. 2001) .................................................................................... 24
Provisional Verbatim Record of the 4568th SC Meeting, UN Doc. S/PV.4568, (10 Jul.
2002) ................................................................................................. . . . 4
Provisional Verbatim Record of the 4573th SC Meeting, UN Doc. S/PV.4573, (12 Jul.
2003) ........................................................................................................ 2
Provisional Verbatim Record of the 4772th SC Meeting, UN Doc. S/PV.4772, (12 Jun.
2003) ........................................................................................................ 4
Provisional Verbatim Record of the 4803th SC Meeting, UN Doc. S/PV.4803, (1 Aug.
2003) ......................................................................................................... 3
UNSC, Letter from the UNSG to the President of the SC, UN Doc. S/1994/673, (24 May.
1994) .......................................................................................................................... 20
Miscellaneous
Americas Watch, Human Rights and the Politics of Agreement (1991) .................... 13
Colombia Decree 128, Decreto sobre Reincorporaci6n a la Vida Civil, Art. 11 (5), (2003)... 14
Scheffer, Address at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law:
"International Criminal Court: the Challenge of Jurisdiction", (1999) ...................... 8, 9
Statement by Judge Eli Nathan Head of the Delegation of Israel at the Rome Conference, (18
Jul. 1998) ............................................................................................... 9
xviii
Statement of Facts
In 1918, the monarch of the Duchy of Lengians and Arkamians abdicated, resulting in the
creation of three new States: Randolfia (Respondent); the Kingdom of Arkam (Applicant);
and the Kingdom of Leng. All are developing States, each with a population of approximately
one million. All States share common borders. The populations of Arkam and Leng are made
up of two ethnic groups: Arkamians and Lengians. In Arkam, Arkamians constitute nearly
90% of the population, while in Leng, Lengians constitute slightly more than 90%. There
haven't been a significant number of intermarriages between members of each ethnic group,
and their relationship has been highlighted by episodes of armed conflict. Randolfia has a
Arkam and Leng are constitutional monarchies, with the thrones and legislative controls held
by the ethnic majorities. Randolfia is a democracy whose parliament has been peacefully
contested by several ethnic-based political parties, and the Lengian party is currently in
power. Randolfia's annual trade with Arkam constitutes about 40% percent of Randolfia's
worldwide commerce.
In January 2003, a trans-border armed conflict erupted between ethnic Lengians and
Arkamians in both Leng and Arkam, for which the U.N. convened an international peace
conference in the Randolfian capital. The conflict in Arkam ceased, but no accord was
reached over the conflict in Leng. Under the Peace Agreement, on March 1, 2003 Arkam
established a TRC, empowered to grant a full amnesty for all crimes committed during the
armed conflict between the two ethnic groups. The TRC has been cited as "a shining example
Yuggott, spurred by GALA, a militia dedicated to the secession of Yuggott from Leng and its
unification with Arkam. On May 1, 2003 the Rome Statute entered into force for Leng and
Randolfia but not for Arkam. Although Randolfia has enacted domestic legislation
implementing the Rome Statute, it lacks domestic legislation criminalizing genocide, crimes
against humanity, or war crimes committed by non-Randolfian nationals outside its borders.
scholarship is recognized around the world. In April 2003, West recorded an audiotape in
Arkam, urging his Arkamians to achieve Arkam's unity with Yuggott. West gave the only
copy to his neighbor, also a member of GALA, but nothing evidences that he gave any
instructions as to what use, if any, should be made of it. GALA members duplicated the
recording, which was then played on Radio Yuggott. On May 16, bands of ethnic Arkamians
began to conduct nighttime raids, attacking ethnic Lengians in several towns in Yuggott. By
the end of May, a percentage of the Lengian population of Yuggott had been killed. On June
20, 2003, the Security Council, adopted Res. 2241, which created "IFLEN", a multinational
force, with a threefold mandate: to enter Yuggott, shut down Radio Yuggott, and put a stop to
the bloodshed. Op. 7 of Resolution 2241 read, in part: "officials or personnel of contributing
States, not parties to the Rome Statute, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of that
contributing State for all alleged acts or omissions related to . . . IFLEN, unless such
exclusive jurisdiction has been expressly waived by that contributing State." The Res. was
Lieut. Joseph Curwen, a citizen and resident of Arkam, leaded one of IFLEN's platoons. On
June 28, 2003, GALA attacked Curwen's platoon, killing 12 soldiers and injuring 4 others.
As a response, Curwen ordered his platoon to attack Exhamtown, a village which was a
GALA stronghold. On June 29, 2003, the platoon killed a number of ethnic Lengians and
ethnic Arkamians. On June 30, GALA and the Lengian government agreed to a U.N.-
ordered him to resign, and to appear before the TRC within 30 days. Between July 20 and 22,
Curwen and West, while in Randolfia for different reasons, were arrested for minor offences.
On July 23, Randolfia's press urged the government of Randolfia to send these individuals to
the ICC. Eliza Tillinghast, the Randolfian Minister of Justice, dispatched a communiqud on
July 25, 2003 informing the ICC's Registrar about Randolfia's holding in custody of West
and Curwen and requesting the ICC to take jurisdiction over these two men.
On July 26, 2003, the King of Arkam sent a diplomatic note to the President of Randolfia,
indicating that Arkam would not appear before the ICC to challenge admissibility in light of
its well-publicized characterization of the ICC as an illegal court. On July 29, the Prosecutor
of the ICC sent written notifications to Arkam, Leng and Randolfia, establishing that there
Tillinghast's communique. In August 2003, the ICC's Prosecutor carried out investigations
and two Pre-Trial Chambers were constituted. On September 1, 2003, the ICC's Prosecutor
charged West with incitement to genocide and attempted genocide and, Curwen with war
crimes and acts of violence in Leng. The Pre-Trial Chambers issued arrest warrants for both
individuals. On the same day the arrest warrants were issued, the King of Arkam sent a
surrender of both Arkamian nationals to the ICC. As a consequence, the two States entered
into negotiations, agreeing to submit their dispute to the ICJ. Leng declined to intervene in
this case.
Statement of Jurisdiction
The Kingdom of Arkam and the State of Randolfia have submitted by Special Agreement
their differences concerning the International Criminal Court, and transmitted a copy thereof
to the Registrar of the Court pursuant to article 40(1) of the Statute. Therefore, both parties
have accepted the jurisdiction of the ICJ pursuant to Article 36(1) of the Statute of the Court.
Summary of Pleadings
I. It is illegal under international law for Randolfia to surrender Curwen to the ICC pursuant
A. Arkam has not waived its jurisdiction to try Curwen, as is expressly required under SC
Resolution 2241. Indeed, SC Resolution 2241, adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter
for the purpose of maintaining peace and security in Leng, was adopted in accordance with
international law, as it complied with SC voting procedures and was a perfectly justified
measure in light of.the wide powers conferred upon the SC under the Charter, and as
evidenced from past practice of such UN body in similar situations. In any case, the ICJ itself
has recognized that it does not have the power of judicial review over SC decisions. Hence,
Randolfia must comply with SC Resolution 2241 and must therefore abstain from
surrendering Curwen to the ICC, as it would otherwise be acting contrary to its international
obligations under the UN Charter, which must prevail over all other obligations it may have,
B. The exercise of jurisdiction by the ICC over Curwen is in breach of Article 34 of the
VCLT. Indeed, Arkam, Curwen's State of nationality, is not a party to the ICC Statute, and
Article 34 provides that treaties cannot modify existing rights of third party states. In this
case, the ICC is modifying Arkam's right to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over its nationals.
In addition, there is no customary rule of international law which allows the delegation of
criminal jurisdiction by states to international tribunals, and thus Randolfia may not argue
that Article 12 of the ICC codifies customary international law. In any case, should Article 12
of the ICC Statute be deemed customary, Arkam is a persistent objector to said rule.
C. Given the ongoing investigation by the Arkamian TRC into the acts of Mr. Curwen, the
exercise of jurisdiction over him by the ICC would violate the principle of Complementarity,
xxiii
since Arkam has exclusive jurisdiction over Curwen, and it is carrying out a genuine
prosecute, since TRCs have been supported by the UN as valid alternative forms of justice.
Moreover, the granting of amnesty by the TRC should not be regarded as unwillingness,
since international law today does not support a general duty to prosecute international
crimes. Finally, the amnesty does not shield Curwen from punishment, which has been
II. It is illegal under international law for Randolfia to surrender Herbert West to the ICC
A. Neither West nor his allegedly criminal conduct demonstrate the necessary nexus with a
State party to the ICC Statute. Indeed, West's alleged crime was committed in Arkam, since
all of his actions took place in said State, and the result theory and the continued crime
doctrine do not apply. Further, West's alleged complicity was perpetrated in Arkam.
B. West's actions preceded the date on which the Rome Statute entered into force with
respect to Leng and Randolfia, and are thus barred from the ICC's consideration, as
established under the doctrine of Intertemporal Law and by the ICC Statute.
C. West's alleged acts do not constitute a crime of the competence of the ICC. Indeed, the
evidence does not support a primafacie case of West's guilt, since the physical and mental
elements of the crime of incitement to genocide are not fulfilled. Furthermore, West cannot
Additionally, there is no causal link between West's acts and the actual commission of the
crime. Finally, West is not responsible for genocide or attempted genocide under the
Nahimana decision.
xxiv
Questions Presented
1. Whether it would be illegal under international law for Randolfia to surrender Joseph
Curwen to the International Criminal Court pursuant to the warrant for his arrest given
that:
a. Arkam has not waived its exclusive jurisdiction to try Joseph Curwen, pursuant to
b. The exercise of the jurisdiction of the ICC over a national of a State not a party to the
Rome Statute violates the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and Customary
International Law.
c. Given the ongoing investigation by the Arkamian TRC into the acts of Mr. Curwen
described in the indictment, the exercise of jurisdiction over him by the ICC would
2. Whether it would be illegal under international for Randolfia to surrender Herbert West to
the ICC pursuant to the warrant for his arrest given that:
a. Neither Mr. West nor his allegedly criminal conduct demonstrates the necessary nexus
b. Mr. West's actions preceded the date upon which the ICC Statute entered into force
with respect to Leng and Randolfia, and are thus barred from the ICC's consideration.
c. Mr. West's alleged conduct does not constitute a crime within the competence of the
ICC.
xxv
I. IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW FOR RANDOLFIA
TO SURRENDER JOSEPH CURWEN TO THE ICC PURSUANT TO THE
WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST.
A. Arkam Has Not Waived Its Exclusive Jurisdiction To Try Joseph Curwen, Pursuant
To Res. 2241 And Therefore The ICC Is Without Jurisdiction To Try Him.
On June 2003, the SC adopted Res. 2241, Op. 7 of which provides that States contributing
with IFLEN that are non-parties to the ICC Statute enjoy exclusive jurisdiction over their
agents, unless expressly waived. Arkam, a contributing State non-party to the ICC Statute,
has not waived its exclusive jurisdiction over Curwen, hence he may not be tried by the ICC.
In the UN system, each organ is empowered to define its own competence.' However, the
2
Charter confers upon UN organs the powers required to duly discharge their functions,
including those which, though not expressly provided, are conferred by necessary implication
as being essential to the performance of their duties.3 This holds true for the SC, 4 which
holds primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. 5 In
discharging this crucial duty, the SC enjoys a wide margin of discretion, 6 as it is empowered
1 Case Concerning Certain Expenses of the United Nations, (Expenses Case), (Ad.Op.), 34
ICJ Rep., 1962, 168; Case Concerning the Legal Consequences for States of the Continued
Presence of South Africa in Namibia (South West Africa) notwithstanding Securiy Council
Resolution 276 (Namibia Case), (Ad.Op.), (Sep.Op. Judge De Castro), ICJ Rep., 1971, 170.
2 Reparation for Iniuries Suffered In The Service of The United Nations Case (Reparations
Case), (Ad.Op.), ICJ Reports, 1949, 322.
3 Effect of Awards of Compensation Made by the United Nations Administrative Tribunal,
(Ad.Op.), ICJ Rep., 1954, 57; Legality of the Use by a State of Nuclear Weapons in Armed
Conflict, (Ad.Op.), ICJ Rep. 1996, 25; Reparations Case, supra note 2, 322-3.
actions enjoy a presumption of legality, as recognized by this Court. 8 In adopting Res. 2241,
the SC acted explicitly under Chapter VII of the Charter, hence it enjoyed the most ample
discretion to decide which measures were necessary in order to maintain peace and security.
Moreover, on previous occasions, US pressure has led the SC to include provisions similar to
Op. 7 in its Resolutions in order to safeguard the continuity of UN missions. 9 Such was the
case of Res. 1422, where the extension of the UN mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina was
party States were exempted from ICC jurisdiction.' 0 Under such circumstances, SC members
acceded to adopt the provision in order to guarantee extension of the UNMIBH mandate."
Similarly, the US successfully exercised this kind of pressure in the Liberia affair.' 2 After 12
votes in favor and 3 abstentions, France -who disagreed with Op. 7- did not veto the
9 SC Res: 1422, adopted 12 Jul. 2002; 1487, adopted 12 Jun. 2003; 1497, adopted 1 Aug.
2003.
'0 BBC News, UN fights to save Bosnia Mission. 01 Jul. 2002,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/l/hi/world/americas; AP, U.S. May Veto Bosnia Peace Mission, 28
Jun. 2002, http://www.balkanpeace.org/hed/archive/june02/hed5055.shtml; The Guardian,
US Threat to Balkans Peace Force. 27 Jun. 2002, http://guardian.co.uk/intemational.
1 Provisional Verbatim Record of the 4 5 73rd SC Meeting, UN Doc. S/PV.4573, 12 Jul. 2003,
2; SC Res. 1487, supranote 9, Op. l.
12 Draft Resolution S/2003/784, submitted by the US, 1 Aug. 2003; SC Res. 1497, supra note
9, Preamble, Op. 7.
resolution, recognizing as did others, the urgent need to authorize deployment of troops.' 3 In
the present case, the insistence of one permanent SC member led it to include Op. 7 in Res.
2241 as a necessary condition to authorize IFLEN operations in Yuggott. Hence the adoption
of SC Res. 2241 is one more instance where States have confirmed the necessity of investing
the SC with the power to exclude certain agents from ICC jurisdiction.
Finally, to be deemed valid, SC resolutions must observe SC rules of voting procedure -be
adopted by 9 affirmative votes, including the concurring votes of permanent members- 4, and
be in accordance with the Charter. 15 In this case, Res. 2241 was approved with 10 affirmative
votes and 5 abstentions. Further, the SC was validly exercising its wide discretional powers
under Chapter VII to maintain international peace and security. Moreover, although not
always necessary, 16 a possible third requisite -as argued among scholars- consists in the prior
17
determination of the existence of a threat to the peace when the SC acts under Chapter VII.
In this case, though the text of Res. 2241 is not available, such determination is inferrable,
since: (i) no one contested the Resolution's validity, which has been done before when such
'3 Prov. Verb. Record of the 4 8 0 3rd SC Meeting, UN Doc. S/PV.4803, 1 Aug. 2003, 3-7.
16 SC Res.: 687, adopted 3 Apr. 1991; 724, adopted 15 Dec. 1991; 771, adopted 13 Aug.
1992; 819, adopted 16 Apr. 1993; 820, adopted 17 Apr. 1993; 824, adopted 6 May 1993; 833,
adopted 27 May 1993; 834, adopted 1 Jun. 1993.
17 Conforti, The Law and Practice of the United Nations Kluwer Law International, 2000,
173-4; Bailey and Daws, The Procedure of the UN Security Council, Oxford, 1998, 271;
FreudenschuB3, Article 39 of the UN Charter Revisited: Threats to the Peace and the Recent
Practice of the UN Security Council. 46 Aus. J. Pub. Int'l L., 1993, 31; Frowein, Article 39
In: Simma, supra note 7, 613.
determination was omitted;' 8 (ii) Yuggott's situation was a threat to peace, since civil war or
internal strife are considered as such; 19 and (iii) the SC acted explicitly under Chapter VII,
which sufficiently implies such a threat. 20 Hence, SC Res. 2241 was validly adopted.
The SC has ample powers to determine the existence of threats to peace,21 and such
validity of acts of UN organs. 23 Moreover, this Court has recognized the inherent limitations
to its judicial function, 24 and that it lacks the power of judicial review of SC decisions. 25 In
fact, neither the Charter nor the ICJ Statute nor their travauxpreparatoiresindicate that such
18Prov. Verb. Record of the 4 5 6 8th SC Meeting, UN Doc. S/PV.4568, 10 Jul. 2002, 7,9;
Prov. Verb. Record of the 4 7 72 nd SC Meeting S/PV.4772, 12 Jun. 2003, 15.
19 SC Res.: 161, adopted 21 Feb. 1961; 688, adopted 5 Apr. 1991; 733, adopted 23 Jan. 1992;
751, adopted 24 Apr. 1992; 1497, supra note 9.
20 Conforti, supra note 17, 173.
21 Prosecutor v. Tadic (Decision on Defence Motion for Interlocutory Appeal on
Jurisdiction), ICTY, 2 Oct. 1995, 54; Prosecutor v. Kanvabashi, (Decision on Defense
Motion on Jurisdiction), ICTR, 18 Jun. 1997, 20; Lockerbie Case (Dis.Op. Judge
Weeramantry), supra note 6, 176; Lockerbie case (Libya v. US), (Dis.Op. Judge Jennings),
ICJ Rep., 1992, 9; Lamb, Legal Limits to United Nations Security Council Powers In:
Goodwin-Gill and Talmon eds., The Reality of International Law: Essays in Honour of Ian
Brownlie Oxford, 1999, 375.
22 Lockerbie Case, (Dis.Op. Judge Weeramantry), supra note 6; Akehurst, A Modem
Introduction to International Law, Allen and Unwin, 6 th ed., 1996, 219; Conforti, supra note
17, 173-74; Frowein, supra note 17, 610.
23 Expenses Case, supra note 1, 168; Lockerbie Case (Dis.Op. Judge Weeramantry), supra
note 6.
24 Case Concerning the Northern Cameroons, (Cameroun v. UK), ICJ Rep., 1963,
30.
25 Namibia Case, supra note 4, 89.
power was to be attributed to the Court. 2 6 Even those who argue that such power exists, limit
responsibility, 27 which is not the case here. Hence, Res. 2241 is not subject to judicial review.
To ensure the maintenance of international peace and security, the SC enjoys a binding
obligation to accept and carry out SC decisions. 29 The binding nature of SC resolutions
depends on the wording and the Charter provisions invoked.3 In Res. 2241, the SC acted
explicitly under Chapter VII, and imperative language, such as the word decides was used.
Hence, Res. 2241 is binding upon Randolfia under Article 25 of the Charter. Moreover,
States must comply with treaty obligations in good faith,3 ' including their obligations under
the Charter,3 2 including compliance with SC decisions directly and through their action in
26 UN Doc. 664, IV/2/33, 13 UNCIO Docs. 633, 1945; Lamb, supra note 21, 363; Gowland-
Debbas, The Relationship Between the International Court of Justice and the Security
Council in Light of the Lockerbie Case, 88 AJIL, 1994, 664.
27 Bowett, The Impact of Security Council Decisions and Dispute Settlement Procedures, 5
EJIL, 1994, 14.
28 Namibia Case, supra note 4, 116; Schweigman, supra note 6, 49; Delbrtick, supra note 7,
413.
29 UN Charter, supranote 5, Art. 25.
30 Namibia Case,
supra note 4, 114.
32 UN Charter, supranote 5, Art. 2(2); MUller, Article 2(2), In: Simma, supra note 7, 91.
jurisdiction other than Arkam's, which is contrary to Res. 2241. Hence, by executing the ICC
arrest warrant, Randolfia would breach its obligation under the Charter to accept and carry
Finally, Randolfia may argue that its obligation under the ICC Statute to surrender Curwen
collides with Res. 2241. However, in the event of conflict, obligations under the Charter
prevail over those assumed by virtue of other agreements. 35 Indeed, measures deriving from
binding SC decisions give rise to obligations that members must fulfill irrespective of any
other commitments.3 6 Thus, obligations deriving from Res. 2241 prevail over any other
obligation binding upon Randolfia, including its obligation to surrender Curwen to the ICC.
4. Arkam has Exclusive Jurisdiction over Curwen, Which it has not Expressly Waived.
Under Res. 2241, Arkam has exclusive jurisdiction over its IFLEN agents, unless expressly
waived. This entails that Arkam would have to make a clear and unambiguous statement to
that effect, and no inference of action would establish an implicit waiver. The Compromis
shows no evidence of such waiver by Arkam; rather, it has asserted jurisdiction over Curwen
by taking disciplinary measures and serving upon him a subpoena. Moreover, the granting of
amnesty by the TRC does not represent an implicit waiver, since TRCs are recognized as
35 UN Charter, supra note 5, Art. 103; VCLT, supra note 31, Art. 30(1).
36 Lockerbie Case, supra note 7, 126; Bernhardt, Article 103 In: Simma, supra note 7, 1120;
Franck, The Powers of Appreciation: Who is the Ultimate Guardian of the UN Legality?, 86
AJIL, 1992, 521.
B. The Exercise Of Jurisdiction By The ICC Over A National Of A State Not Party To
The Rome Statute Violates The VCLT And Customary International Law.
Under Article 12 of its Statute, the ICC has jurisdiction over crimes: (i) committed in the
territory of a State party, regardless of the nationality of the offender; or (ii) committed by a
national of a State party. In this case, Randolfia intends to surrender Curwen, an Arkamian, to
the jurisdiction of the ICC for crimes committed in Leng, a party to the ICC Statute.
However, this exercise of ICC jurisdiction would breach international law, as proven infra.
1. The Exercise of Jurisdiction over Curwen Would Breach Article 34 of the VCLT.
Under Article 34 of the VCLT, ratified by both parties to the present case, treaties cannot
create obligations or rights for third non-party States. 38 This rule is considered a codification
of customary law,39 and has been acknowledged by this court and its predecessor. 40 The ILC
and international tribunals have interpreted this rule to mean that treaties cannot modify legal
rights of States not parties to them. 4 1 One of such customary rights of States that derives from
State sovereignty is the right to exercise jurisdiction over nationals. 42 This implies that States
a treaty creating such jurisdiction or by giving ad hoc consent. Accordingly, the exercise of
ICC jurisdiction over nationals of third parties, such as Curwen, abrogates pre-existing rights
The provisions of a treaty that has not been ratified by a State will only bind it through
international custom. 44 In order to justify ICC jurisdiction, Randolfia will argue that Article
12 of the ICC Statute codifies customary law, based on the theories of delegated universal
First, Randolfia may argue that the exercise of jurisdiction over nationals of non-parties is
based on the theory that the signatory States have delegated their customary right to exercise
universal jurisdiction over the crimes prescribed in the ICC Statute.4 6 However, this argument
42 Oppenheim, International Law, (Jennings & Watts eds.), 9 th ed., Longman, 1996, 456;
Wallace, International Law, Sweet & Maxwell, 3rd ed., 1997, 111; Shaw, International Law,
Cambridge, 1995, 403.
43 Holcombe, Comment: The United States Becomes a Signatory to the Rome Treaty
Establishing the International Criminal Court: Why are so any Concerned by this Action?,
Mont. L. Rev., 2001, 314; Morris, The United States and the International Criminal Court:
High Crimes and Misconceptions: The ICC and Non-Party States, L. & Contemp. Probs.,
2001, 26-27; Arnaut, When in Rome...? The International Criminal Court and Venues of
U.S. Participation, Va. J. Int'l L., 2003, 550.
44 Chinkin, Third Parties in International Law Oxford, 1993, 34; Reuter, Introduction to the
Law of Treaties, Kegan Paul International, 1995, 140; Cassese, International Law supra note
39, 119.
45 Scheffer, Address at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law:
"International Criminal Law: The Challenge of Jurisdiction", 1-9; Scharf, The United States
and the International Criminal Court: The ICC's Jurisdiction over the Nationals of Non- Party
States: A Critique of the U.S. Position, L. & Contemp. Probs., 2001, 76,109.
is not accepted under international law for three reasons: (i) Article 12 of the Statute was not
drafted with the intention of establishing universal jurisdiction.4 7 In fact, Germany's universal
jurisdiction proposal was expressly rejected by the majority of States (e.g., Colombia,
Indonesia, India, Russia, France, Brazil, Uruguay, Sweden, Norway, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Qatar);
(ii) no precedent under international law supports the delegation of universal jurisdiction by
and the ICTR and ICTY were created by SC resolutions); 50 and (iii) some crimes of the ICC
Statute are not subject to universal jurisdiction. 5 1 Moreover, the exercise of universal
53
jurisdiction is questionably a customary rule, as recognized by most Justices of this Court.
52
46 Harris, The United States and the International Criminal Court: Legal Potential for Non-
Party State Jurisdiction Hawaii L. Rev., 2000, 302; Chibueze, United States Objection to the
International Criminal Court: A Paradox of "Operation Enduring Freedom" Ann. Surv. Int'l
& Comp. L., 2003, 36; Arnaut, supra note 43, 552.
47Haffner et al, A Response to the American View as Presented by Ruth Wedgwood EJIL,
1999, 116-117; Strapatsas, Universal Jurisdiction and the International Criminal Court, Man.
L.J., 2002, 30; Brown, U.S. Objections to the Statute of the International Criminal Court: A
Brief Response. N.Y.U. J. Int'l L., 1999, 874.
48 Brown, supra note 47, 874; Morris, supra note 43, 37; Haffner et al, supra note 47, 116-7.
51 Statement by Judge Eli Nathan Head of the Delegation of Israel at the Rome Conference,
July 18 1998; Morris, supra note 43, 28; Scheffer, supranote 45, 8.
52 Scharf, Universal Jurisdiction: Myths, Realities, and Prospects: Application of Treaty-
Based Universal Jurisdiction to Nationals of Non-Party States, New Eng. L. Rev, 2001, 373;
Kaul, Preconditions to the Exercise of Jurisdiction. In: Cassese, Gaeta & Jones, The Statute
of the International Criminal Court: A Commentary Vol. I, Oxford, 2002, 587; Summers,
The International Court Of Justice's Decision In Congo V. Belgium: How Has It Affected
The Development Of A Principle Of Universal Jurisdiction That Would Obligate All States
To Prosecute War Criminals? BU Int'l L.J., 2003, 98; Regina v. Bartle ex parte Pinochet,
Lord Slynn of Hadley, Eng. H.L..
Second, Randolfia may argue that State parties to the ICC Statute have delegated their
territorial jurisdiction to the ICC in the same way that a State can delegate its territorial
jurisdiction to another State. However, delegation of territorial jurisdiction from one State to
another is only possible with the consent of the defendant's national State. 54 Thus, the same
should apply to the delegation of territorial jurisdiction to an international court. Hence, said
Finally, any effort to argue the customary status of the ICC's power to exercise jurisdiction
over nationals of non-parties is futile, since State practice is clearly against it. Indeed, several
States have not ratified the ICC Statute precisely for this reason, and numerous contracting
parties at the Rome conference considered this rule excessive (e.g., India, Russia, France,
Libya, Japan, Colombia, Sudan, Indonesia, Brazil, Sweden and Spain). Accordingly, many
contracting parties have executed treaties with non-parties to the ICC Statute (specifically the
US) to exclude its jurisdiction over their nationals (e.g., Argentina, Australia, Belgium,
personnel who are nationals of non-party States, not only in the case of Yuggott, but also in
the cases of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Liberia. 55 Therefore, State practice shows that Article
12 of the ICC Statute establishes a jurisdictional regime that many States unequivocally
53 Arrest Warrant of April 11 Case (Arrest Warrant Case), (Congo v. Bel.), (Sep.Op. Judge
Guillaume), ICJ Rep., 2000, 16; Arrest Warrant Case (Sep.Op. Judges Higgins, Kooijmans,
Buerguenthal), ICJ Rep., 2000, 44-6.
54 European Convention on the Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matter, ETS No. 73,
entered into force 30 March. 1978; Morris, supra note 43, 43-47; Zemach, Fairness and
Moral Judgments in International Criminal Law: The Settlement Provision in the Rome
Statute Colum. J. Transnat'l L., 2003, 907; Scheffer, supra note 45, 1-9.
55 SC Res.: 1422, supranote 9; 1497, supra note 9.
3. Arkam is a Persistent Objector to the ICC's Jurisdictional Regime.
As often recognized by this Court,56 the persistent objector is a State that constantly objects to
a customary rule during its development, and is thus not bound by it. 57 In this case, Arkam
has rejected the existence of the ICC since its developing stages and thus neither signed nor
ratified its Statute. Therefore, arguments suggesting that the ICC Statute has created instant
Hence, Randolfia's surrendering of Joseph Curwen to ICC jurisdiction would violate the
C. Given The Ongoing Investigation By The Arkamian TRC Into The Acts Of Mr.
Curwen Described In The Indictment, The Exercise Of Jurisdiction Over Him By The
ICC Would Violate The Principle Of Complementarity.
The principle of Complementarity -the governing principle upon which the operation of the
ICC is based-58 implies that in the presence of an international and national criminal justice
systems, only if the former fails shall the latter intervene. 59 Hence, ICC jurisdiction may not
be invoked if a national court with jurisdiction over a certain matter is willing and able
genuinely to investigate or prosecute. 60 In this case, there is a State with jurisdiction which is
56 Anglo Norwegian Fisheries Case (UK v. Nor.), ICJ Rep. 1951, 131; North Sea
ContinentalShelf Case, (Ger. v. Den & Neth), ICJ Rep., 1969, 26-7; Asylum Case, supra note
40, 277-8.
57 Stein, The Approach of a Different Drummer: The Principle of the Persistent Objector in
International Law Harv. Intl. L. J., 457, 1985; Cassese, International Law, supra note 39,
123-124; Brownlie, Principles of Public International Law 5th ed., Oxford, 1998, 10.
58 ICC Statute, UN Doc. A/CONF. 183/9, 1 Jul. 2002, Preamble & Art. 1; Zeldy, supra note
37, 870.
59 Zeldy, supra note 37, 870.
60Van der Vyver, Personal and Territorial Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court,
Emory Int'l L. Rev., 2000, 66; Schabas, An Introduction to the International Criminal Court,
Cambridge, 2001, 67; Llewellyn, supra note 37, 194.
able and willing to investigate the matter of Curwen's alleged crimes. Consequently, the ICC
Generally, adjudicatory jurisdiction -the jurisdiction to subject persons to the process of the
State may exercise jurisdiction over its nationals wherever they may be and in respect of
offences committed abroad.63 In this case, although Curwen has allegedly committed a crime
in Leng, said State -which would have jurisdiction under the territoriality principle- has
chosen not to intervene in Curwen's prosecution. Therefore, Arkam, Curwen's national State,
Under the ICC Statute, a case shall be inadmissible if a State with jurisdiction over said case
is carrying out or has carried out an investigation or prosecution, unless said State is
unwilling or unable genuinely to carry out the investigation or prosecution. 64 The use of the
conjunction "or" in this rule reflects that the primacy of national process is preserved through
65
either investigation or prosecution, hence an investigation -regardless of its nature- suffices.
As has been done in numerous previous cases, 66 Arkam has created a TRC to investigate
61Schachter, supra note 39, 255; Oppenheim, supra note 42, 462; Wallace, supra note 42,
114; Schabas, An Introduction to the International Criminal Court, supra note 60, 59.
62 Ratner and Abrams, Accountability for Human Rights Atrocities in International Law
Oxford, 2001, 161; Strapatsas, supra note 47, 1; Schachter, supra note 39, 255.
63Brownlie, supra note 57, 306; Wallace, supra note 42, 114; Oppenheim, supra note 42,
462; Cassese, International Criminal Law Oxford, 2003, 288.
64 ICC Statute, supra note 58, Art. 17(1).
public order of human dignity. 67 States such as Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Guatemala
have created these panels to investigate human rights abuses of prior regimes or resolve civil
conflict emerged from political agreement. 68 The validity of these TRCs as investigative
bodies has been supported by the UN. In El Salvador, a TRC was appointed and administered
by the UN to investigate the abuses of a 12-year civil war. 69 Another example of a successful
TRC is South Africa's, a unique UN-supported and NGO praised tripartite institution with
powers to prepare a record of the apartheid era, recommend reparations, and grant amnesty
on the basis of individual application. 70 Arkam's TRC is modeled after South Africa's, hence
for victims of human rights violations and their families, 7' and in the interest of the legitimate
66 Jody, Truth Commission in El Salvador and Guatemala B.C. Third World L.J., 1997, 30;
US Institute of Peace, Truth Commissions Digital Collection,
http://www.usip.org/library/truth.html; A Culture of reconciliation in Africa: Transformative
Justice, the Restoration of Dignity and Reconciliation. http://www.jiia.or.jp/pdf/lax.pdf.
67 Vasallo, Truth and Reconciliation Commissions: General Considerations and a Critical
Comparison of the Commissions of Chile and El Salvador 33 Miami Inter-Am. L. Rev.,
2002, 156; Dugard, Possible Conflicts of Jurisdiction with Truth Commissions In: Cassese,
Gaeta & Jones, Vol. I, supra note 52, 694; Wiessner & Willard, Policy-Oriented
Jurisprudence and Human Rights Abuses in Internal Conflict: Toward a World Public Order
of Human Dignity. 93 AJIL, 1999, 330-1.
68 McHugh, The Truth About Truth Commissions, 1996; Hayner, Truth Commissions:
Exhuming the Past, 1998, Vol. 32 Issue 2, 30; Americas Watch, Human Rights and the
Politics of Agreement. 1991; Sachs, Truth and Reconciliation, 52 SMU L. Rev. 1563, 1999.
69 Hayner, Truth Commissions: Exhuming the Past, supra note
68, 30-2.
70 Al & HRW, Truth and Justice: Unfinished Business in South Africa,
http//:www.hrw.org/backgrounder/africa/truthandj ustice.htm, 2003.
71 Ratner & Abrams, supra note 62, 229,238; Zeldy, supra note 37, 2002
goals of peace and national healing, 72 which the Court should not mistake for unwillingness.
Unwillingness to prosecute exists when proceedings are undertaken for the purpose of
shielding the accused from criminal responsibility. 73 However, TRCs do not fit this
description, since they are deemed alternative forms of justice.74 Moreover, the granting of
amnesty within the context of a recognized TRC has been accepted as a form of achieving
amnesties, as international law stands today, a general duty to prosecute international crimes
is not supported by State practice.7 6 In fact, modern history is replete with cases where
amnesty has been granted for serious international crimes, 77 such as in Guatemala, Uruguay,
Cambodia, El Salvador, South Africa, Haiti, and more recently Colombia. 8 Furthermore, the
72 Schabas, An Introduction to the International Criminal Court. supra note 60, 69.
74 Zeldy, supra note 37, 943; Klosterman, supra note 37, 840; Llewellyn, supra note 37, 198.
of the Arkamian TRC constitutes a valid alternative form of justice and should not be
Finally, Randolfia may argue that an amnesty would shield Curwen from punishment.
However, punishment can take many non-criminal forms, including removal from office and
reduction of ranks. 80 In this case, Curwen was ordered to resign his commission without
benefits, hence, even the TRCs amnesty would not shield him from punishment.
Consequently, the Arkamian TRC is a valid and effective assertion of jurisdiction over
West has been charged with incitement to genocide under Article 25(3)(e) of the ICC Statute,
and attempted genocide under Articles 6(a) and 25(3)(f). Such charges are based on Article
inducing). Noting that under Article 28 responsibility only derives from omissions, 81 Arkam
will refer to West's conduct, rather than merely his actions or acts, to establish that the facts
do not support a prima facie case - i.e. evidence amounting to an overwhelming body of
79 Dugard, supra note 67, 694; Scharf, Swapping Amnesty for Peace: Was there a Duty to
A. Neither West Nor His Allegedly Criminal Conduct Demonstrate The Necessary
Nexus With A State Party To The ICC Statute.
The ICC may exercise its jurisdiction if: (i) the crime is committed in the territory of a State
83
party to the ICC Statute, or (ii) the perpetrator is a national of a State party to said Statute.
Randolfia will argue that the ICC has jurisdiction since West's alleged crime took place in
Leng, a party to the ICC Statute. However, as proven infra, should West's conduct be
Under the principle of territoriality, a crime is deemed to have been committed in the territory
of the State where it is consummated.84 In this case, West's alleged responsibility must be
established by determining the territoriality of his conduct -i.e. where the conduct took
place,85 noting that the conduct under analysis is the recording of a tape and its delivery to a
neighbor. This is done by adopting the reasoning of the Quebec Superior Court in the case of
US v. Novick, where the Court restricted the territoriality of the crime to the place where the
act was executed (in that case, since the crime was mail fraud, where the letter was posted). 86
82 Mueller & Besharov, Evolution and Enforcement of International Criminal Law, In:
Bassiouni (ed.), International Criminal Law, Vol. I, Transnat'l Publishers, 2 nd ed., 1999, 278.
83 ICC Statute, supra note 58, Art. 12(2).
84 AhIstrom Osakevhtio and Others v. Commission (In re Wood Pulp Cartel), Op. Darmon,
CJEC, 1988, 19; Joyner, Arresting Impunity: The Case for Universal Jurisdiction in
Bringing War Criminals to Accountability, 59 L. & Contemp. Prob., 1996, 164; Akehurst,
Jurisdiction in International Law, In: Reisman, Jurisdiction in International Law. The Library
of Essays in International Law, 1999, 32; Antolisei, Manual de Derecho Penal Parte General,
Uteha Argentina, 105.
85 Metzger, Tratado de Derecho Penal, Madrid, 1955, 331-2.
act alone is punishable,88 irrespective of its results.8 9 Such crimes are consummated
responsibility is individual; 91 and a person can only be liable for conducts performed
voluntarily. 92 Thus, West will only be responsible for conduct in which he voluntarily
engaged, even though the crime might have been committed in Leng, since conduct in Leng
Notwithstanding, Randolfia may argue that the locus commissi delicti must be determined
according to the result theory, which considers the crime as committed where its result takes
87 Prosecutorv. Rugziu. (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, 1 Jun. 2000, 16; Prosecutorv. Kalelileli,
(Trial Chamber II), ICTR, 1 Dec. 2003, 855; Prosecutorv. Niyitegeka (Trial Chamber I),
ICTR, 16 May 2003, 431; Prosecutorv. Nahimana et al, (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, 3 Dec.
2003, 1013; Prosecutorv. Akavesu. (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, 2 Sep. 1998, 562; Schabas,
Hate Speech in Rwanda: The road to genocide, 46 McGill LJ, 2000, 149; Wallenstein,
Punishing Words: an Analysis of the Necessity of the Element of Causation in Prosecutions
for Incitement to Genocide. 54 Stan L Rev, 2001, 388.
88 Grispigni, L'Evento Come Elemento Costitutivo del Reato. Annali di Diritto e Procedura
Penale II, 1934, 858; Maggiore, Derecho Penal, Vol. I, Temis, 2 nd ed., 1982, 294; Soler,
Derecho Penal Argentino, Vol. 1, 2 nd ed., Tipogrfica Editora Argentina, 1953, 279;
Nersessian, The Contours of Genocidal Intent: Troubling Jurisprudence from the
International Criminal Tribunals, 37 Tex Int'l LJ, 2002, 256.
89 Spitdri, L'Infraction Formelle, 3 Revue de Science Criminelle et de Droit Pdnal Compard,
1966, 497; Akhavan, The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda: the Politics and
Pragmatics of Punishment, 90 AJIL, 1996, 506; Schabas, Principios Generales del Derecho
Pena In: Ambos & Guerrero (eds.), El Estatuto de Roma de la Corte Penal Internacional,
Universidad Externado de Colombia, 1999, 290.
90 Arteaga, Derecho Penal Venezolano 9 th ed., McGraw Hill, 2001, 135; Sosa, Teoria
General de la Ley Penal 2 nd ed., Ediciones Liber, 2000, 248; Maggiore, supra note 88, 295.
91 Prosecutor v. Tadic. (Appeals Chamber) ICTY, 2 Oct. 1999, 186; Prosecutorv. Kordic
and Cerkez (Trial Chamber III), ICTY, 26 Feb. 2001, 364.
92 Eser, Individual Criminal Responsibility In: Cassese, Gaeta & Jones, Vol. 1, supra note 52,
774; Cassese, International Criminal Law. supra note 63, 137; Kadish, Complicity, Cause
and Blame: A Study in the Interpretation of Doctrine 73 Calif L Rev, 1985, 330.
place (Leng).9 3 Nonetheless, as incitement is an inchoate crime, it is not be subject to this
doctrine. Accordingly, Randolfia may try to further argue that, under the effects doctrine -
which determines the territoriality of crimes by the place where their effects occur- 94 the
crime was consummated in Leng. However, said doctrine is highly controversial, as it implies
the extraterritorial application of the law, 95 which is not contemplated in the ICC Statute.
Finally, Randolfia may argue that incitement is a continuous crime, perpetuated in time and
space into Leng. Such assertion is incorrect, since a continuous crime only exists when all of
its elements is present throughout its duration, 96 while incitement, as indicated supra, are
Arkam, thus it represents no nexus with a State party to the ICC Statute.
The conduct of the accomplice is subject to the jurisdiction of the State in the territory of
which it takes place. 97 Should West be found responsible for participating in the commission
of incitement to genocide and genocide, only Arkam would have jurisdiction because West's
conduct took place entirely in Arkam, hence there would be no territorial nexus.
act of participation- was entirely executed in Arkam, which excludes ICC jurisdiction, since
93 Sosa, supra note 90, 282, 283; Arteaga, supra note 90, 87, 88.
94 Paust et al, International Criminal Law Carolina Academic Press, 1996, 125; Cassese,
International Criminal Law, supra note 63, 280; Schabas, An Introduction to the International
Criminal Court supra note 60, 63.
95 Shaw, supra note 42, 423; Brownlie, supra note 57, 310; Oppenheim, supra note 42, 472.
96 Regina v. Treacy. (Dis.Op. Judge Reid), Eng.Ct.App., 1970, 55 ILR, 1979, 116; Arteaga,
supra note 90, 136; Balderson Jr, Temporal Units of Prosecution and Continuous Acts:
Judicial and Constitutional Limitations 36 San Diego L Rev, 1999, 199.
97 Jimdnez de Asfia, Tratado de Derecho Penal. Vol. III, rd ed., Losada, 1964, 846-7.
3
the necessary nexus is not fulfilled.
B. West's Actions Preceded The Date On Which The Rome Statute Entered Into Force
With Respect To Leng And Randolfia And Are Thus Barred From The ICC's
Consideration.
Under the principle of Intertemporal Law, when dealing with different legal systems
prevailing at successive periods of time, a juridical fact must be appreciated in light of the
law contemporary with it. 98 This principle is embraced by the ICC Statute, which provides
99
that no one shall be criminally responsible for conduct prior to its entry into force.
Accordingly, even if West's actions, which are limited to the recording of a tape and delivery
to his neighbor, were considered crimes within the competence of the ICC, such acts -which
took place in April of 2003- are not contemporary with the jurisdiction ratione temporis of
the ICC, since its Statute entered into force for Leng and Randolfia on May 1st 2003.
Consequently, it would breach international law for Randolfia to surrender West to the ICC.
C. West's Alleged Acts Do Not Constitute A Crime of The Competence Of The ICC.
In order to justify West's surrender to the ICC under international law, Randolfia must
establish, and this Court declare, that there is a prima facie case of West's responsibility.
However, evidence does not support the construction of a prima facie case against West,
since analysis of his actions in relation to the killings in Leng does not prove his guilt beyond
00
the reasonable doubt required by international tribunals.
98 Island of Palmas Case, supra note 41, 1928; Minquiers and Ecrehos Case (Merits), (Fr. v.
UK), ICJ Rep., 1953, 47; Jennings, The Acquisition of Territory in International Law
Manchester, 1963, 28-31; Elias, The Doctrine of Intertemporal Law, 74 AJIL, 286.
Said charges are based on two forms of participation: (i) responsibility of superiors; and (ii)
participation by order, solicitation or induction. Although Arkam will not rebut the
commission of the crime of incitement to commit genocide, it is submitted that West cannot
be held responsible for said crime under either form of participation, as proven infra.
The superior responsibility doctrine requires proof of three elements: (i) a superior-
subordinate relationship; (ii) knowledge by the superior of his subordinates' actions; and (iii)
failure by the superior to exercise due control over his subordinates or inform of their illegal
under a superior's effective control and authority,10 2 which entails that the latter be in
position -political or military- to order the commission of a crime or punish the perpetrators
thereof.10 3 However, mere leadership does not imply that a person has such authority or can
101 Prosecutor v. KaLelijeli supra note 87, 2003, 773; Prosecutor v. Aleksovski, (Trial
Chamber I), ICTY, 25 Jun.1999, 69; Prosecutorv. Galic, (Trial Chamber I), ICTY, 5 Dec.
2003, 173; Vetter, Command Responsibility of Non-Military Superiors in the International
Criminal Court (ICC) 25 Yale J. Int'l L., 2000, 97-98; UNSC, Letter from the UNSG to the
President of the SC, UN Doc. S/1994/673, at 16-17, 24 May 1994.
102Aptel & Williamson, A Commentary on the Musema Judgment Rendered by the United
Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda 1 Melbourne J. Int'l L., 140-141;
Prosecutor v. Musema (Trial Chamber), ICTR, 27 Jan. 2000, 141; Prosecutor v. Delalic
supra note 81, 646; Prosecutorv. Kaelifeli supra note 87, 773.
103 Prosecutor v. Bagzilishema, (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, 17 Jun. 2001, 61; Prosecutor v.
Musema. supra note 102, 137, Prosecutor v. Delalic, supra note 81, 378; Prosecutor v.
Kalelijeli supra note 87, 774.
exercise effective control and authority over others. 0 4 Moreover, in the specific case of non-
military leadership, the civilian superior's degree of control must be similar to that of a
military commander, 0 5 and the "material ability" to intervene to prevent or punish offences is
required.10 6 In the Musema case, the ICTR set certain parameters to the Doctrine of Superior
Responsibility applied to civilians, finding that Musema, as director of the Gisovu Tea
Factory, had "legal and financial control over [his] employees, particularly through his power
to appoint and remove these employees from their positions in the tea factory", 10 7 and used
this authority and power to order his employees to kill Tutsis in the surrounding
communities. The ICTR used these facts to determine that Musema had the "material ability"
to order crimes as well to prevent them. In this case, West's abilities and competencies are
not sufficiently demonstrated to establish that he had such a control over GALA members.
Indeed, the facts show that West's leadership was more ideological than military.
ii. West had no reason to know that other GALA members would incite genocide.
In order to be held responsible for the actions of subordinates, the superior must know or
disregard information indicating that the subordinates are committing or about to commit a
104 Prosecutor v. Ntakirutimana et al (Trial Chamber I), ICTR, 21 Feb. 2003, 821;
Prosecutorv. Nivitegeka supra note 87, 474-76; Prosecutorv. Semanza (Trial Chamber),
ICTR, 15 May 2003, 415.
105 Prosecutor v. Bagilishema supra note 103, 43; Prosecutor v. Delalic supra note 81,
378; Vetter, supra note 101, 117.
106Prosecutorv. Blaskic, supra note 81, 302; Prosecutorv. Kunarac et al, (Trial Chamber),
ICTY, 22 Feb. 2001, 396; Prosecutorv. Naletilic and Martinovic, ICTY, (Trial Chamber),
31 Mar. 2003, 76; Prosecutor v. Galic supra note 101, 176; Prosecutorv. Kavishema and
Ruzindana, (Trial Chamber), ICTR, 21 Jun. 1999, 511; Prosecutorv. Delalic supra note 81,
395.
107 Prosecutorv. Musema, supra note 102, 880.
crime. 10 Knowledge implies awareness that a circumstance exists or that a consequence will
occur in the ordinary course of events. 19 Further, although it can be established through
that West had actual knowledge of the actions of other GALA members, and the recording of
the tape and subsequent delivery to his neighbor do not prove that, in the normal course of
events, it would have been broadcast through Radio Yugott, much less incited Arkamians to
conduct killing raids. Consequently, West cannot be said to have known that such criminal
actions would be committed, hence he is not guilty under the superior responsibility doctrine.
b. West was not an accomplice of the GALA members who incited genocide.
offence- I ' as a form of consummating the actus reus of complicity.1 2 Ordering, soliciting
and inducing are forms of instigation.1 3 Hence, when a person orders, solicits or induces the
108 ICC Statute, supra note 58, Art. 28(b)(i); Prosecutor v. Delalic supra note 81, 383;
Stryszak, Command Responsibility: How Much Should a Commander be Expected to
Know? 11 USAFA J. Leg. Stud., 2000/2001, 61-3; Damaska, The Shadow Side of Command
Responsibility, 49 Am. J. Comp. L., 2002, 462; May & Powles, Command Responsibility - A
New Basis of Criminal Liability in English Law Criminal Law Review, 2002, 371-3.
"'1Prosecutorv. Kaelijeli, supra note 87, 762; Prosecutorv. Semanza supra note 104,
381; Prosecutorv. Bagilishema, supra note 103, 30; Prosecutorv. Akavesu supra note
87, 482.
112 Prosecutorv. Bagilishema, supra note 103, 70; Prosecutorv. AkaVesu supra note 87,
533, 537.
113Eser, supra note 92, 796; Ambos, Article 25 In: Triffierer (ed.), Commentary on the
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, 1999, Margin N' 13.
114 ICC Statute, supra note 58, Art. 25(3)(b).
crime. However, ordering implies a superior-subordinate relationship, 115 and, as established
persuasion or reasoning, 116 and there is also no evidence that West engaged in such conducts.
Indeed, the ICTR in its Kayishema and Ruzindanda decision, found instigating conduct in
their promises of money or food, giving weapons to the perpetrators, taking them to the
places where they would commit the crimes, or being physically present while the crimes
were committed."17 There is no evidence whatsoever that West ordered or otherwise caused
Additionally, the accomplice's conduct entails individual criminal responsibility only when it
presents a direct causal link to a crime which is indeed perpetrated or attempted."' Indeed,
under the principle of novus actus interveniens, in a sequence of a person's action, the
intervention of another bars the causal responsibility of the first person."19 In this case, the
existence of a causal link between West's actions and those of the broadcasters of the tape is
highly questionable, given the intervention of other GALA members in the sequence of
115Prosecutorv. AkaVesu, supra note 87, 483; Prosecutorv. Blaskic supra note 81, 281;
Prosecutorv. Naletilic andMartinovic supra note 106, 61.
116 Eser, supranote 92, 796.
Randolfia may try to use the ICTR's Nahimana decision to argue that there is aprimafacie
case of West's responsibility. In said case, the Trial Chamber evaluated a series of contextual
factors that presented a strong case against Nahimana and Barayagwiza: (i) as directors of
RTLM and the CDR -a radio station and a political party with militias- they set course over
the purposes and actions of those organizations; (ii) they exercised de facto control over
RTLM and the CDR; (iii) their organizations were aimed at creating ethnic violence and
hatred. 20 However, unlike the Nahimana case, it is not sufficiently clear whether West was
in a position to set course over its member's purposes or actions. In fact, there is no evidence
that West exercised authority or control over GALA members or Radio Yuggott. Moreover,
GALA's purpose is the secession of Yuggott from Leng to create a "Greater Arkam", not the
generation of ethnic hatred or violence. Thus, the facts that were crucial to determine
responsibility in Nahimana cannot be proven in this case, especially since the evidence
provided here derives from local press, which has little evidentiary value in criminal law, 121
Indeed, violations of international obligations give rise to State responsibility and to States's
122 Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (ARS), UNGAR
56/83, 12 Dec. 2001, Art. 1; Spanish Zone of Morocco Claims, (UK v. Spain), 2 RIAA, 615,
2 ILR, 1928, 157; Case of CertainNorwegian Loans, (Fr. v. Nor.), ICJ Rep., 1956.
correlative duty of reparation, 123 which must reestablish the situation to the conditions that
would have existed if the wrongful act had not been committed. 124 In this case, Randolfia
intends to surrender two Arkamian citizens to the jurisdiction of the ICC, thus wrongfully
intervening in Arkam's internal affairs and abrogating its right to exercise jurisdiction over its
obligations. 125 Indeed, this Court and its predecessor have willingly granted declarations as a
form of satisfaction.' 26 Accordingly, based on all that has been suficiently proven supra,
Arkam requests this Court to declare that it would be illegal for Randolfia to surrender Joseph
Curwen and Herbert West to the ICC pursuant to the warrants for their arrest.
Based on the foregoing reasons, Arkam respectfully requests that this Court DECLARE that
it would be illegal under international law for Randolfia to surrender Joseph Curwen to the
ICC pursuant to the warrant for his arrest; and DECLARE that it would be illegal for
Randolfia to surrender Herbert West to the ICC pursuant to the warrant for his arrest.
123 ARS, supra note 122, Art. 31(1); Polish Agrarian Reform Case. (Interim Protection),
PCIJ, 1933; Reparations Case supra note 2, 184.
124 Chorz6w Factorty Case, PCIJ, 1927, 29.
125 Fitzmaurice, The Law and Procedure of the International Court of Justice, Cambridge,
Vol. 2, 1986, 584.
126 Aerial Incident Case, (Isr. v. Bug.), ICJ Rep., 1959, 127; Mavrommatis Palestine
Concessions Case, (Greece v. UK), PCIJ, Series A, No. 5, 1925, 51.