Universal jurisdiction. The Sierra Leone profile / Justice Rosolu J.B. Thompson.
2015
KTJ379.5 .T46 2015 (Map It)
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Title
Universal jurisdiction. The Sierra Leone profile / Justice Rosolu J.B. Thompson.
Published
Den Haag : T.M.C. Asser Press, 2015.
Call Number
KTJ379.5 .T46 2015
Former Call Number
Si.L 800 T372 2015
ISBN
9789462650534
9462650535
9789462650541
9462650543
9462650535
9789462650541
9462650543
Description
xx, 141 pages ; 24 cm.
System Control No.
(OCoLC)903002113
Summary
The doctrine of universal jurisdiction has evolved throughout modern times in the context of global criminal justice as a paramount agent of combating impunity emanating from international criminality. Sierra Leone, as a member of the international community and the United Nations, has, in recent times, been a pioneer in the progressive application and development of international criminal law in the African region. Despite this role, the country's profile, both in terms of the incorporation and application of the doctrine of universal jurisdiction, is deficient in several major respects falling far short of its dual international obligation not to provide safe havens from justice for perpetrators of international crimes and to combat impunity from such criminogenic acts. Hence, a compelling reason for the author to write this book was to provide a seminal scholarly work on the subject articulating the existing state of the law in Sierra Leone and highlighting the deficiencies in the law and factors inhibiting the exercise of universal jurisdiction in this UN member state. 0It was also to propose necessary substantive and procedural law reforms in the state's jurisprudence on the subject. The book is recommended reading for practitioners and scholars in international criminal law and related disciplines.
Note
The doctrine of universal jurisdiction has evolved throughout modern times in the context of global criminal justice as a paramount agent of combating impunity emanating from international criminality. Sierra Leone, as a member of the international community and the United Nations, has, in recent times, been a pioneer in the progressive application and development of international criminal law in the African region. Despite this role, the country's profile, both in terms of the incorporation and application of the doctrine of universal jurisdiction, is deficient in several major respects falling far short of its dual international obligation not to provide safe havens from justice for perpetrators of international crimes and to combat impunity from such criminogenic acts. Hence, a compelling reason for the author to write this book was to provide a seminal scholarly work on the subject articulating the existing state of the law in Sierra Leone and highlighting the deficiencies in the law and factors inhibiting the exercise of universal jurisdiction in this UN member state. 0It was also to propose necessary substantive and procedural law reforms in the state's jurisprudence on the subject. The book is recommended reading for practitioners and scholars in international criminal law and related disciplines.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Record Appears in
Table of Contents
1.
Introduction
1
1.1.
Sierra Leone and Impunity
1
1.2.
Existing Profile
2
1.3.
Conclusion
3
1.4.
Summary
3
References
4
2.
Sources of International Law
5
2.1.
Introduction
5
2.2.
Custom
6
2.3.
General Principles of Law Common to All Civilized Nations
8
2.4.
Judicial Decisions
9
2.5.
Writings of Publicists
10
2.6.
Treaties or International Conventions
10
2.7.
Conclusion
11
2.8.
Summary
12
References
13
3.
Relationship Between International Law and Municipal Law: History, Theories, Status, and Related Aspects
15
3.1.
Historical Insights
15
3.2.
Theories
17
3.3.
Status of Municipal Law in International Law
18
3.4.
Status of International Law in Municipal Law
19
3.5.
Justiciability, State Immunity, and Kindred Doctrines: The Applicable Sierra Leone Law
21
3.6.
Conclusion
25
3.7.
Summary
26
References
27
4.
Justice in Sierra Leone: Principal Agencies
29
4.1.
Ordinary Courts
30
4.1.1.
Criminal Jurisdiction: Brief History
30
4.1.2.
Criminal Jurisdiction: Existing Organization and Structure
30
4.1.3.
Civil Jurisdiction: Existing Organization and Structure
38
4.2.
Military Courts
41
4.2.1.
Courts Martial
41
4.2.2.
Court of Appeal
41
4.3.
Police
42
4.4.
Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
44
4.5.
Legal Profession: The Private Practising Bar
46
4.6.
Prison System
47
4.7.
Administration of Justice in Sierra Leone: A Critique
48
4.8.
Conclusion
49
4.9.
Summary
50
References
51
5.
Justice in Sierra Leone: Subsidiary Agencies
53
5.1.
Sierra Leone Legal System: Subsidiary Components
53
5.1.1.
Ombudsman Office
53
5.1.2.
Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone
55
5.1.3.
Sierra Leone Law Reform Commission
57
5.1.4.
Anti-Corruption Commission
59
5.1.5.
Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission
60
5.1.6.
Justice Sector Coordination Office
61
5.2.
Conclusion
61
5.3.
Summary
62
References
63
6.
Jurisdiction: Nature, Scope, Dimensions, and Complexities
65
6.1.
Meaning of Jurisdiction
66
6.2.
Domestic Jurisdiction
66
6.2.1.
Classification of Domestic Jurisdiction
66
6.3.
Universal Jurisdiction Elaborated
70
6.3.1.
Rationale, Scope, and Dimensions
70
6.3.2.
Complexities
72
6.4.
Conclusion
73
6.5.
Summary
73
References
74
7.
Universal Criminal Jurisdiction: Law and Practice in Sierra Leone
75
7.1.
Propositions of Law
75
7.1.1.
General Propositions
76
7.1.2.
Specific Propositions: War Crimes
77
7.1.3.
Specific Propositions: Crimes Against Humanity
78
7.2.
Conclusion
79
7.3.
Summary
79
References
80
8.
Universal Civil Jurisdiction: Law and Practice in Sierra Leone
81
8.1.
Universal Jurisdiction
81
8.1.1.
Preliminary Observations
81
8.1.2.
Propositions
82
8.2.
Conclusion
84
8.3.
Summary
84
References
84
9.
Universal Jurisdiction: The Sierra Leone Profile---Problematic Features
85
9.1.
Preliminary Observation
85
9.1.1.
Definitional Problems
86
9.2.
Conceptual Problems
90
9.2.1.
Principles of Criminal Liability
90
9.2.2.
Defences
91
9.2.3.
Insanity
98
9.3.
Institutional Problems
104
9.3.1.
Political Control
105
9.3.2.
Amnesties
105
9.3.3.
Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance
107
9.4.
Other Institutional Defects
117
9.5.
Conclusion
117
9.6.
Summary
118
References
119
10.
Universal Jurisdiction in Sierra Leone: Reform of the Law
121
10.1.
Conceptualizing Law Reform
121
10.2.
Machinery for Law Reform in Sierra Leone
122
10.3.
Proposed Agenda for Reform
123
10.4.
Specific Reform Proposals
123
10.5.
Conclusion
125
10.6.
Summary
125
References
126
Table of Cases Cited
127
Table of Statutes of International Courts and Other International Legal Instruments
129
Table of Legislation
133
Bibliography
135
Index
137