The complementarity of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is one of the fundamental principles of the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court. The principle of complementarity is the parameter which defines the relationship between States and the ICC. It provides that cases are admissible before the ICC if a State remains wholly inactive or is 'unwilling' or 'unable' to investigate and prosecute genuine cases of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Amsterdam Center for International Law and the Department of Legal Philosophy at the Law Faculty of the Free University of Amsterdam held an international expert roundtable on the 'Complementarity Principle of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court' on 25 and 26 June 2004. This book contains contributions on complementarity, which were presented and discussed during that meeting. They analyse the principle from theoretical, practical and conceptual perspectives.

Jus ad bellum and jus in bello are established concepts in contemporary international law. This book is the first work to treat the origins, contents and contemporary challenges of jus post bellum. It offers new analysis and fresh thinking on one of the greatest challenges of warfare and armed force: the management and restoration of peace after conflict. Fundamental issues, such as the extraterritorial application of human rights obligations, the accountability of occupying powers and international organizations and approaches towards justice and reconciliation, are at the heart of contemporary debate. New concepts, such as the notion of responsibility to protect are gradually emerging. This book addresses these issues from a novel perspective. It identifies legal gaps and policy challenges and inquires to what extent they may be addressed under a common normative umbrella: Jus Post Bellum. The individual contributions offer guidance on shortcomings, directions and possible avenues of reform. In this way, the authors - from various disciplines, such as philosophy, legal history, political science and international law - contribute to the emerging scholarship in this field. Carsten Stahn is a Reader in Public International Law and International Criminal Justice, at the Swansea University School of Law, UK. Jann K. Kleffner is Assistant Professor at the Amsterdam University Center of International Law, The Netherlands, and the Managing Editor of the Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law.

This books provides an in-depth analysis of the international legal aspects of the use of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition and armour. The military use of DU has been surrounded by considerable controversy, mainly as regards the health and environmental risks that such use entails. The debate about DU has thus far been highly polarised, with one end of the spectrum rejecting any risk whatsoever and the other end suggesting that the use of DU leads to severe health and environmental consequences, including Gulf-War syndrome, whenever it is used. Rather than settling these controversies, the book takes as a starting point a precautionary approach in light of the considerable remaining scientific uncertainties. It examines various principles and rules of international law, which would be at play if the health and environmental concerns regarding the use of DU were to materialise.

This book provides an in depth-examination of the principle of complementarity in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the implications of that principle for the suppression of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes on the domestic level. The book is set against the general background of the suppression of these crimes on the domestic level, its potential and pitfalls. It traces the evolution of complementarity and provides a critical and comprehensive analysis of the provisions in the Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence relevant to complementarity. In so doing, it addresses both substantive and procedural aspects of admissibility, while taking account of the early practice of the ICC. Further attention is devoted to the question whether and to what extent the Rome Statute imposes on States Parties an obligation to investigate and prosecute core crimes domestically. Finally, the book examines the potential of the complementary regime to function as a catalyst for States to conduct domestic criminal proceedings vis-a-vis core crimes.

In response to the weaknesses of international tribunals and domestic courts in the prosecution of crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, a new generation of "internationalized" criminal courts has been established. This book addresses three active and one putative jurisdiction of this kind in East Timor, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, and Cambodia.