Mistake of law : excusing perpetrators of international crimes / Annemieke van Verseveld.
2012
K5083 .V47 2012 (Map It)
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Details
Author
Title
Mistake of law : excusing perpetrators of international crimes / Annemieke van Verseveld.
Published
The Hague, The Netherlands : T.M.C. Asser Press, [2012]
Distributed
Berlin : Produced and distributed for T.M.C. Asser Press by Springer-Verlag
Copyright
©2012
Call Number
K5083 .V47 2012
ISBN
9789067048668
9067048666
9789067049658 (softcover)
9067048666
9789067049658 (softcover)
Description
xiv, 182 pages ; 24 cm
System Control No.
(OCoLC)781681841
Summary
"When a perpetrator of an international crime argues in his defence that he did not realise that he had violated the law, is this a reason not to punish him? International crimes constitute serious offences and it could be argued that he who commits such an offence must know his act is punishable. After all, everyone is presumed to know the law. However, convicting someone who is mistaken about the wrongfulness of his act may be in violation of the principle of 'no punishment without guilt'. This book investigates what would be the circumstances under which the defence of mistake of law should exculpate the perpetrator of an international crime and whether those circumstances are covered by the current international codification of mistake of law. It demonstrates that the issue of mistake of law goes to the heart of individual criminal responsibility and therewith contributes to the development of a systematic approach toward the structure of international offences"--Page [4] of cover.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 171-177).
Record Appears in
Table of Contents
1.
Introduction
1
1.1.
Torture At Abu Ghraib
1
1.2.
Outlining the Issue
2
1.3.
Occasion
2
1.4.
Methodology and Limitations
3
1.5.
Definitions
4
1.6.
Structure of the Book
6
References
7
2.
Theory of Mistake of Law in National Criminal Law Systems
9
2.1.
Introduction
9
2.2.
Mistake of Law in the Common Law Systems of the USA and the UK
10
2.2.1.
Introduction: Ignorantia Legis Non Excusat
10
2.2.2.
Exceptions to the Rule
10
2.2.2.1.
American Law
10
2.2.2.2.
English Law
18
2.2.3.
Conclusion: An Ad Hoc Approach
24
2.3.
Mistake of Law in the Civil Law Systems of Germany and France
25
2.3.1.
Introduction
25
2.3.2.
Germany: Mistake of Law is an Excuse
26
2.3.2.1.
Das Recht
26
2.3.2.2.
Landmark Decision
27
2.3.2.3.
Codification
33
2.3.2.4.
German Border Guard Cases
40
2.3.2.4.1.
German Border Guard Cases: The Principle of Legality
43
2.3.2.4.2.
German Border Guard Cases: Mistake of Law
44
2.3.2.5.
Conclusion
47
2.3.3.
France: Mistake of Law is a Ground for Excluding Criminal Responsibility
48
2.3.3.1.
Provision
50
2.3.3.2.
Avoidable Mistake
51
2.3.3.3.
Conclusion
53
2.4.
Superior Orders
54
2.4.1.
USA and UK
54
2.4.2.
Germany and France
56
2.4.3.
Conclusion
58
2.5.
Conclusion: Comparative Analysis
58
References
59
3.
Comparing the National Approaches: Theorising About the Issue
63
3.1.
Introduction: Twofold and Threefold Structures
63
3.2.
Relevant Distinctions
64
3.2.1.
Justification and Excuse
64
3.2.2.
Wrongdoing and Attribution
67
3.2.3.
Defeasible and Comprehensive Rules
68
3.2.4.
Conduct Rules and Decision Rules
68
3.2.5.
Analysis
70
3.3.
Other Issues
71
3.3.1.
Criminal Intent
71
3.3.2.
Putative Justifications
72
3.3.3.
Element of `Unlawfulness' in the Crime Definition
73
3.3.4.
Principle of Legality
75
3.4.
Conclusion
76
References
78
4.
Theory of Mistake of Law in International Criminal Law
81
4.1.
Introduction
81
4.2.
Article 32(2): Mistake of Law
82
4.2.1.
Article 32 Mistake
82
4.2.2.
Negate the Mental Element
83
4.3.
Article 33: Superior Orders
90
4.3.1.
Introduction
90
4.3.2.
Provision
90
4.3.3.
Criticism: Departure from Customary International Law
91
4.3.4.
Criticism: Manifest Illegality
94
4.3.5.
Conclusion: Superior Orders a Separate Defence?
95
4.4.
Concluding Analysis
96
References
98
5.
Applying the Theory of Mistake of Law: An Analysis of (Inter)national Case Law
101
5.1.
Introduction
101
5.2.
Case Law
102
5.2.1.
Pre-WWII Case Law
103
5.2.2.
WWII Case Law
104
5.2.2.1.
United States
104
5.2.2.2.
United Kingdom
108
5.2.2.3.
Other Countries
111
5.2.3.
Trials Related to Other Armed Conflicts After WWII
118
5.2.4.
Recent Decisions
122
5.2.4.1.
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
122
5.2.4.2.
Special Court for Sierra Leone
123
5.2.4.3.
International Criminal Court
126
5.3.
Conclusion
127
References
129
6.
Applying the Theory of Mistake of Law: An Analysis of Elements of Crimes and a Survey of Dilemmas on the Battlefield
133
6.1.
Introduction
133
6.2.
Subjective Requirements of Criminal Responsibility
134
6.2.1.
Elements of Crimes
134
6.2.1.1.
Elements of Crimes Against Humanity
137
6.2.1.1.1.
Specific Elements: Deportation, Torture and Persecution
137
6.2.1.2.
Elements of War Crimes
138
6.2.1.2.1.
Specific Elements: Improper use of a flag, Insignia or Uniform
141
6.2.1.3.
Conclusion
143
6.3.
Dilemmas on the Battlefield
144
6.3.1.
Mistakes About the Prohibition
145
6.3.1.1.
Military Objectives
146
6.3.2.
Putative Justifications
151
6.3.2.1.
Mistake of Self-Defence
151
6.3.2.2.
Necessity
152
6.3.3.
Mistaken Defences Under Public International Law
154
6.3.3.1.
Military Necessity
154
6.3.3.2.
Reprisals
157
6.4.
Conclusion
161
References
162
7.
Concluding Remarks
67
7.1.
Introduction
167
References
169
Bibliography
171
Table of Cases
179