LAW AND HISTORY OF ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will give students insight and generate in –depth knowledge on the mechanisms established to hold individuals accountable. It is vital that students understand the difficulties of international criminal trials and the advantages of individual accountability in a discipline that has for many centuries focused on collective responsibility. The course will introduce issues of note to students in a chronological manner for better understanding.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course students are expected to be able to

  •  Develop the concept of individual responsibility and the establishment of accountability mechanisms over the centuries.
  • Show in –depth knowledge of international criminal courts and tribunals, their establishment, mandates and operations.
  • Have the capacity to elaborate on the difficulties of international criminal trials
  • Be capable of critically evaluating the various accountability mechanisms and anticipating future outcomes.

COURSE CONTENT

  • Before 1945
  • Nuremberg and Tokyo
  • Ad Hoc Tribunals of the 1990s
  • Special Hybrid/Internationalised Courts
  • The International Criminal Court
  • Domestic Jurisdictions
  •  Regional and sub-Regional Cour
  •       

COMPULSORY READING MATERIALS

  • Alexander Zahar, Goran Sluiter (2007). International Criminal Law, a Critical Introduction. Oxford: University Press
  • Cherif M. Bassiouni (1998). International Criminal Law (2nd ed). Ardsley: Transnational Publishers
  • Cassese (2003). International Criminal Law. Oxford University Press

 

OPTIONAL READING MATERIALS

  • Dixon & Khan (2009). Archbold International Criminal Courts. Practice, Procedure and evidence
  • Genocide Convention 1948
  • International Criminal Court Statute ,1998 (Rome Statute)