The implementation of the universal jurisdiction over torture in European countries

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorAmien, Waheedaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorCoppée, Tom Jean Gen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-07-26T12:22:12Z
dc.date.available2016-07-26T12:22:12Z
dc.date.issued2016en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis dissertation presents an evaluation of universal jurisdiction over torture offenses. By doing so, it focuses on European states, in particular Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, all of which show a particular openness to prosecute torture offences on the basis of universal jurisdiction. It is demonstrated that Belgium, France and the United Kingdom have complied with the obligation set out in article 5(2) of the UN Torture Convention to establish universal jurisdiction over torture offences in their domestic legislation. They were, moreover, the first countries to conduct torture trials on this ground. However, 30 years after the signature of the Convention, such trials rarely occur because European prosecutors and courts face both practical and legal problems. I argue that some controversies have been solved, especially those relating to the non-retroactivity of the implemented legislation, the prohibition of amnesties, as well as the legality of the proceedings in the absence of the offender and of the operation of a principle of subsidiarity. The latter principle would give primacy jurisdiction at least to the territorial state that wants and is able to prosecute. However, the controversies relating to the legality of the universal jurisdiction over the torture of citizens of non States Parties, the ne bis in idem prohibition, the broad immunities and the establishment of efficient legislation and cooperation between states are far from being settled. I argue that the cooperation between states at the regional and international level is needed to solve the legal and practical issues about universal jurisdiction over torture, and to stop its differentiated applications. The forum state is also responsible to provide prosecution and police services with a suitable working context that has clear and efficient legislation and guidelines about universal jurisdiction over torture. Indeed, successful prosecution primarily devolve to these criminal practitioners' motivation.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationCoppée, T. J. G. (2016). <i>The implementation of the universal jurisdiction over torture in European countries</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Law ,Department of Public Law. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20805en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationCoppée, Tom Jean G. <i>"The implementation of the universal jurisdiction over torture in European countries."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Law ,Department of Public Law, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20805en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationCoppée, T. 2016. The implementation of the universal jurisdiction over torture in European countries. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Coppée, Tom Jean G AB - This dissertation presents an evaluation of universal jurisdiction over torture offenses. By doing so, it focuses on European states, in particular Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, all of which show a particular openness to prosecute torture offences on the basis of universal jurisdiction. It is demonstrated that Belgium, France and the United Kingdom have complied with the obligation set out in article 5(2) of the UN Torture Convention to establish universal jurisdiction over torture offences in their domestic legislation. They were, moreover, the first countries to conduct torture trials on this ground. However, 30 years after the signature of the Convention, such trials rarely occur because European prosecutors and courts face both practical and legal problems. I argue that some controversies have been solved, especially those relating to the non-retroactivity of the implemented legislation, the prohibition of amnesties, as well as the legality of the proceedings in the absence of the offender and of the operation of a principle of subsidiarity. The latter principle would give primacy jurisdiction at least to the territorial state that wants and is able to prosecute. However, the controversies relating to the legality of the universal jurisdiction over the torture of citizens of non States Parties, the ne bis in idem prohibition, the broad immunities and the establishment of efficient legislation and cooperation between states are far from being settled. I argue that the cooperation between states at the regional and international level is needed to solve the legal and practical issues about universal jurisdiction over torture, and to stop its differentiated applications. The forum state is also responsible to provide prosecution and police services with a suitable working context that has clear and efficient legislation and guidelines about universal jurisdiction over torture. Indeed, successful prosecution primarily devolve to these criminal practitioners' motivation. DA - 2016 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2016 T1 - The implementation of the universal jurisdiction over torture in European countries TI - The implementation of the universal jurisdiction over torture in European countries UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20805 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/20805
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationCoppée TJG. The implementation of the universal jurisdiction over torture in European countries. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Law ,Department of Public Law, 2016 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/20805en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Lawen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Lawen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherInternational Lawen_ZA
dc.titleThe implementation of the universal jurisdiction over torture in European countriesen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameLLMen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_law_2016_coppee_tom_jean_g.pdf
Size:
941.24 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters