Universal Criminal Jurisdiction

A Journey through the Institute of International Law

Abstract

«The peoples of the earth have thus entered in varying degrees into a universal community, and it has developed to the point where a violation of rights in one part of the world is felt everywhere.» This paper seeks to comprehensively study the concept of universal jurisdiction (UJ) within the sphere of the Institute of International Law. The paper examines UJ in the twenty-first century and reverts to the nineteenth century. In doing so, the author conveys a consistent critical perspective of UJ; questioning its presumed universal nature.