In June 1998, diplomats met in Rome to draft the Statute of an International Criminal Court. Based on the precedents of the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals and of the War Crimes Tribunals for Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the new Court will judge individuals, not States. Unpunished mass slaughters have occurred in many countries. National justice is often ineffective. Truth and reconciliation commissions complement but do not replace justice. International 'Peoples' Tribunals have no international legitimacy. It is hoped that a permanent, international criminal court may combat impunity and deter more crimes.
'In his latest offering, Judging War Criminals: The Politics of International Justice , Beigbeder brings his wealth of experience and obvious passion for justice to bear on an in-depth study and analysis of the development of individual responsibility in international criminal law...Beigbeder achieves a laudable symmetry between promoting his vision for international justice, sharing his rich experience and insight, and providing a rigorous analysis of the development of individual responsibility in international criminal law.' - Estelle Dehon, Politikon