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International Criminal Tribunals and Special Courts- International Justice - Global Policy Forum International Criminal Tribunals and Special Courts
The United Nations established special international criminal tribunals in Rwanda and Yugoslavia to prosecute those responsible for atrocities during times of war and genocide. Successful convictions of these political and military leaders are meant to bring justice to victims and to deter others from committing such crimes in the future.
These special tribunals gave impetus to the formation of the International Criminal Court (ICC), finally established in 2003. Unlike the ICC, the special tribunals have limited jurisdictions and do not threaten the possible prosecution of leaders or nationals of powerful countries like the United States.
This section follows important cases in the Yugoslavia and Rwanda tribunals, as well as developments at the Special Courts in Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Cambodia and East Timor. In addition, the page covers discussions about the trials of Saddam Hussein and other top Baath Party officials, as well as the implications for international justice and criminal law.
Nuremburg Trials, Picture Credit: Dodd Library
Yugoslavia | Rwanda | Sierra Leone | Lebanon | Cambodia
East Timor | Iraq | General Articles | Links
International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia
The UN's first special international court, the ICTY hears cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes from the conflicts that ravaged the former Yugoslavia during the 1990s. It has garnered special attention for prosecuting former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
In 1994, ethnic militias massacred 800,000 Rwandans while the world looked on. The ICTR attempts to establish a record of the genocide and bring those most responsible to justice.Special Court for Sierra Leone
During Sierra Leone's brutal civil war rebels terrorized civilians with mass amputation and rape. The SC-SL is a "hybrid" national and international court designed to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.Special Tribunal for Lebanon
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in an explosion in February 2005. The Lebanese Parliament is yet to agree on an international UN-backed tribunal to try suspects in the assassination.Special Tribunal for Cambodia
The Khmer Rouge killed more than 1 million people during the 1970s. Thirty years later, the UN and the Cambodian government have agreed to establish a joint national and international court to hold those responsible accountable.Ad-Hoc Court for East Timor
Backed by the Indonesian military, pro-Indonesia militias murdered thousands of Timorese during the territory's struggle for independence. UN efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable have been stymied by the Indonesia government.The Iraq Tribunal: Toward a Trial for Saddam Hussein and Other Top Baath Leaders
The capture of Saddam Hussein on December 13, 2003 prompted a worldwide debate as to how to try him and other top Baath Party leaders. While the US government and the Iraqi Governing Council push for a trial at a war crimes tribunal in Iraq, human rights activists and legal experts call for an internationally-organized tribunal.General Articles
General articles on war crimes tribunals around the world.
Links
General
The Crimes of War website provides a unique collaboration of leading scholars, journalists, writers, and legal experts on war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and international law as it is developing to confront these atrocities and the social and political crises they engender.
ICTY
The International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia's website includes introductory material to the tribunal, text of basic legal documents, indictments and judgements, press releases, and a variety of other excellent resources.
The Institute for War and Peace Reporting provides outstanding coverage and analysis of the ICTY and other developments within the Balkans.
ICTR
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda's website includes introductory material to the tribunal, the text of basic legal documents, indictments and judgements, press releases, and a variety of excellent resources.
Sierra Leone
The website of the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.
The Documentation Center of Cambodia is a non-governmental organization that provides information on the Khmer Rouge regime and serves as a resource for those who wish to pursue legal redress for the crimes committed between 1975 and 1979. Cambodia
The Yale University's Cambodian Genocide Program established in 1994, offers access to documentation including the 100,000-page archive of the Khmer Rouge regime's security police, the Santebal. It also provides documents, translations, maps, books and research papers on the genocide.
East Timor
The Judicial System Monitoring Programme monitors and reports on occurrences at the Ad-Hoc Court for East Timor.
The website of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor provides information about the Commission and its work. Includes links to other relevant pages.
Iraq
Official website of the Iraq High Tribunal (formerly the Iraqi Special Tribunal)
More Information on International Justice
More Information on the Rogues Gallery
