universal jurisdiction

English

Noun

universal jurisdiction (uncountable)

Examples
X, a mercenary of Country A, commits war crimes at Country B. He then fled to Country C. If Country C claims universal jurisdiction for war crimes, it can prosecute war crimes committed by X regardless of where did the offence happened and what nationality did the defendant held.

1. (international law) A principle whereby a state claims legal jurisdiction over persons whose alleged crimes were committed outside the boundaries of the prosecuting state, regardless of the accused's nationality, country of residence, or other relationship with the prosecuting country.
   • "Amnesty International’s legal memorandum, Universal Jurisdiction: the duty of states to enact and implement legislation, documents more than 125 states that have universal jurisdiction over at least one of the crimes. The organization is campaigning for all states to enact universal jurisdiction legislation over all six crimes."[1]

Translations

Translations

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 普遍管轄權 / 普遍管辖权 (pǔbiàn guǎnxiáquán, pǔpiàn guǎnxiáquán)

• French: compétence universelle (fr) f
• German: Weltrechtsprinzip n, Universalitätsprinzip n
• Korean: 보편관할권(普遍管轄權) (bopyeon'gwanhalgwon)

References

• The scope and application of universal jurisdiction: UK statement
• Kissinger, Henry, The Pitfalls of Universal Jurisdiction: Risking Judicial Tyranny -, Foreign Affairs, July/August 2001.