Genesis of International Criminal Law

Abstract

This Paper deals with the contribution of Nuremberg Tribunals in the development of International Criminal law. The authors have observed that the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunals have played a vital role for dealing only with the cases relating to genocide, war-crimes, war of aggression and further the prohibitions and penal sanctions imposed by various States through Nuremberg Tribunals have led to the development of International Criminal law as it has evolved today. While coming to such a conclusion, the authors have traced the origin and historic evolution of International Criminal Law, particularly, after the end of World War-II when Nuremberg tribunals were established. The authors have observed that after World War-II, the Nuremberg Trials have contributed to the development of International Criminal Law and there have been key radical developments in the meaning, object, scope and mode of practices while dealing with international Criminal justice delivery system throughout the world. The authors argue that even though the jurisdiction of Nuremberg Tribunals to prosecute is limited to crimes related to genocide, war-crimes, war of aggression, nonetheless it was an important foundation in the development of international law worldwide. This paper also considers practical implications for parties to the Rome Statute as well as other countries which were not parties to it.