CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE COURSE

INTERNATIONAL LAW, 5TH SEMESTER DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021
ON

UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION IN INTERNATIONAL LAW

SUBMITTED TO-Ms. Sugandha Sinha

SUBMITTED BY- Nandinee Sharma

ROLL NO. - 1941

3rd year B.A.LL.B.(Hons.)

CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, NYAYA NAGAR, MITHAPUR, PATNA- 800001

INTRODUCTION

The term “universal jurisdiction” refers to the idea that a national court may prosecute
individuals for serious crimes against international law — such as crimes against humanity, war
crimes, genocide, and torture — based on the principle that such crimes harm the international
community or international order itself, which individual States may act to protect.

The principle of universal jurisdiction is classically defined as 'a legal principle allowing or
requiring a state to bring criminal proceedings in respect of certain crimes irrespective of the
location of the crime and the nationality of the perpetrator or the victim.

The definition and implementation of universal jurisdiction vary around the world. A national or
international court’s authority to prosecute individuals for international crimes committed in
other territories depends on both the domestic legal framework and the factual background of
each particular case.

AIMS and OBJECTIVES

 The researcher intends to study the implementation of Universal Jurisdiction in International

Law.

 The researcher intends to analyse the prominent cases involving Universal Jurisdiction.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

 What is the principle of Universal Jurisdiction under International Law?

 What are the prominent cases governed by the principle of Universal Jurisdiction ?

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The study is based on secondary sources of data/ information. Different books journals,
newspapers and relevant websites have been consulted in order to make the study an effective
one. The study attempts to examine the implementation of Universal Jurisdiction in International
Law.

HYPOTHESIS

Universal jurisdiction is the capacity of a state under its domestic judicial framework to
investigate and prosecute certain crimes, even if they were not committed on its territory, by one
of its citizens, or against one of its citizens.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The researcher will face time and monetary limitations in completing this particular project.

SOURCES OF DATA
Primary sources: Convention Against Torture, International Crimes and International Criminal
Court Act 2000, Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act of 2000, Cases, Judgements.
Secondary sources: Books, Websites, Articles, Journals.

TENTATIVE CHAPTERIZATION

1. INTRODUCTION
2. UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION IN INTERNATIONAL LAW
3. DOMESTIC LAWS INCORPORATING UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION
4. PROMINENT CASES INVOLVING UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION
5. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION