A GJ Topics article.

Abstract

This paper describes the Belgian Law on universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity and its application in a trail against four Rwandan suspects. The paper shows the innovative character of the 1993 law as well as the unprecedented application of this law. We give details on the accusations of the four suspects and show how the trial revealed previously unknown facts about the genocide. We deal with the impact and the criticism of the trial. Furthermore, the implications of the law and the trial for Belgian foreign policy making are addressed. The case against the Prime Minister of Israel puts the law and Belgian jurisdiction in the international spotlight.

Originally published in Global Jurist Topics.

Recommended Citation

Schotsmans, Martien and Verwimp, Philip (2001) "Belgian Law, the Rwandan Genocide and the Challenges of an Ethical Foreign Policy," Global Jurist Topics: Vol. 1 : Iss. 3, Article 2.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/gj/topics/vol1/iss3/art2