Punishing the Enemies of All Mankind

Abstract

Book review of Mark Drumbl’s Punishment, Atrocity and International Law. How do we and how should we punish perpetrators of international crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide? Is it fair to hold individuals responsible for their role in manifestations of this type of collective violence? Do the punishments issued by international criminal institutions support the usual penological rationales?Do they actually attain their goals? Is the Westernized international criminal justice system the most appropriate means of dealing with mass violence, especially in non-Western countries which might have a different perception of justice? What are the alternatives?These are just some of the questions which Mark Drumbl addresses in this book.

Keywords: Book review, international criminal justice, sentencing, international crimes