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LAW00526 International Criminal Justice

One of the most important innovations of international criminal justice is the creation of probably the most important new Court in human history – the permanent International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is charged with putting 'an end to impunity for the perpetrators of (the most serious crimes of concern to the international community) and thus to contribute to the prevention of such crimes'. Given that the middle of next year marks the 10th anniversary of the ICC's existence, it is timely to now critically assess the extent to which the ICC has achieved its aims, and what are its future prospects. The workings of the ICC will be examined throughout this unit in their historical, political and international legal context. Key issues to be analysed include: what international crimes can be prosecuted by the ICC, and the definitions of these crimes; how cases reach (or do not reach) the ICC; jurisdictional issues; procedures of the ICC; the role of victims of international crimes (including women and children) in the ICC; the structure and administration of the ICC; the criminal law principles the ICC applies; and the present cases and situations that the ICC is currently involved in. This detailed examination of the ICC operations will not only critically appraise the success and failures of the ICC, but also provide students with an insight into the present overall state of international criminal justice.

Associate Professor Sam Garkawe - Unit Assessor

Sam Garkawe is an Associate Professor at the School of Law and Justice at Southern Cross University, NSW. Sam completed his Law Degree at Monash University, Melbourne, and is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria. He has been employed in a number of legal environments, including private practice, legal aid, as a research solicitor for the Victorian parliament, and has been an academic since 1991. He further holds Masters of Law degrees from both London University and Sydney University, and is also admitted as an Attorney-at-Law in California.

His research interests are in the fields of international and national criminal justice, victimology, human rights, restorative justice and international law. He presently teaches human rights, victimology, criminal law & procedure and international criminal justice at Southern Cross University.

In 2009 Sam was elected to the Executive Committee of the World Society of Victimology and has been an active member of their UN Liaison Committee since 2003. He has published widely in the field of victimology, particularly with respect to the role of victims in international criminal justice mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court and the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He has taught International Criminal Law/Justice in a number of places around the world - Monash University (Melbourne); Hamline University School of Law, Minneapolis (Minnesota, USA); Tel Aviv (Israel); Whittier School of Law and Chapman University School of Law, (California, USA); and Murdoch University (Perth).

Further information

Updated: 02 March 2012