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Does international criminal law still require a ‘crime of crimes’?: a comparative review of genocide and crimes against humanity

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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  • Alex Murray
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>2011
<mark>Journal</mark>Goettingen Journal of International Law
Issue number2
Volume3
Number of pages27
Pages (from-to)589-615
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

This article argues that the crime of genocide is now a redundant crime in international law given the advances that have been made in the case law and application of crimes against humanity. It does this by providing an historical analysis of the two crimes before going on to consider four separate crimes against humanity and corresponding acts of genocide. The primary argument leveled against genocide is the difficulties that stem from proving the intent in the mind of the perpetrator to destroy a particular group in contrast to the less demanding category of crimes against humanity. It argues for a pragmatic rather than philosophical approach to international justice for the benefit of the victims and the prevention of criminal acts in the future.