Aggression in International Law: The Crime of a State and Criminal Responsibility of an Individual

Enis Omerović

Abstract


The paper covers unlawful use of force in international law by states to explore the general concept and definition of aggression in the law of state responsibility and for criminal responsibility of individuals. The genesis of the concept of aggression in the XX century is analyzed. The paper describes problems that arose in defining the aggression that accompanied the efforts to ban any threat of force and the use of force by international law provisions, which was over with adopting the United Nations Charter in 1945. The responsibility of a State for the internationally wrongful act in question was accompanied by the criminal responsibility of individuals for the same international crime. The analysis of cases before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and the analysis of the work of the United Nations Security Council, reveal their practice in terms of which of the above authorities has priority in finding State responsibility? Equally, we seek to identify the weaknesses concerning the definition of aggression adopted as an expression of political compromise in Annex to the 1974 UN General Assembly Resolution, and whether the 2010 Kampala definition contained in the amendments to the Rome Statute may be considered inadequate in trying of the International Criminal Court to fight impunity and to participate in the prevention of future crimes of aggression through its work and actions. Ultimately, is the aggression any threat or violation of international peace and security by the state? If aggression is a true-crime of a State, does that mean that only the highest officials of the state will be criminally responsible for the crime in question?

Keywords


aggression; aggressive war; unlawful use of force; United Nations Charter; United Nations Security Council; International Court of Justice; International Criminal Court; Rome Statute; Kampala amendments

Full Text:

PDF

References


Akande, Dapo, Antonios Tzanakopoulos (2018), ˝Treaty Law and ICC Jurisdiction over the Crime of Aggression˝, European Journal of International Law, 29(3), 939-959.

Amandmani na Elemente zločina, usvojeni u Dodatku II Rezolucije, br. RC/Res.6, 11. juna 2010.

Ambos, Kai, Otto Triffterer (2016), The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court: A Commentary, 3. izd, C.H. Beck, Munich

American Society of International Law (1990), ˝United Nations: Security Council Resolutions concerning Iraqi Aggression˝, International Legal Materials, 29(6), 1560-1565.

Amnesty International (2003), Tribunal Established without Consultation, Press Release, 10 December 2003, MDE14/181/2003.

Anderson, Michael (2010), ˝Reconceptualizing Aggression˝, Duke Law Journal, 60(2), 411-451.

Andrassy, Juraj (1976), Međunarodno pravo, 6. izd, Školska knjiga, Zagreb

Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, Provisional Measures, Order of 8 April 1993, I. C. J. Reports 1993, p. 3.

Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro), Judgment, I. C. J. Reports 2007, p. 43.

Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda), Provisional Measures, Order of 1 July 2000, I. C. J. Reports 2000, p. 111.

Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda), Judgment, I. C. J. Reports 2005, p. 168, Separate Opinion of Judge Simma

Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda), Judgment, I. C. J. Reports 2005, p. 168.

Aust, Anthony (2009), Handbook of International Law, Cambridge University Press, New York

Avramov, Smilja, Milenko Kreća (1986), Međunarodno javno pravo, Naučna knjiga, Beograd

Avramov, Smilja, Milenko Kreća (1997), Međunarodno javno pravo, XV izd, Savremena administracija, Beograd

Bachmann, Sascha D., Yasser Abdelkader (2018), ˝Reconciling Quasi-States with the Crime of Aggression Under the ICC Statute˝, Emory International Law Review, 33(1), 93-131.

Bantekas, Ilias, Susan Nash (2003), International Criminal Law, 2. izd, Cavendish Publishing Limited, London

Bećirević, Edina (2003), Međunarodni krivični sud: Između ideala i stvarnosti / International Criminal Court: Between Ideals and Reality, Međunarodni centar za mir & Arka press, Sarajevo

Bennett, LeRoy A., James K. Oliver (2004), Međunarodne organizacije. Načela i problemi, Politička kultura, Zagreb

Blokker, Niels (2022), ˝Prosecuting the Crime of Aggression: The Role of the UN Security Council˝, u: Bock, Stefanie, Eckart Conze (Eds.), Rethinking the Crime of Aggression: International and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Asser Press, Springer, The Hague / Heidelberg, 255-267.

Boas, Anouk T. (2013), ˝The Definition of the Crime of Aggression and its Relevance for Contemporary Armed Conflict˝, ICD Brief, 1. 1-13.

Boczek, Boleslaw A. (2005), International Law: A Dictionary, Scarecrow Press, Inc., Lanham

Bredow, Wilfried v. (2022), „State Sovereignty and the Legitimacy of Aggression“, u: Bock, Stefanie, Eckart Conze (Eds.), Rethinking the Crime of Aggression: International and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Asser Press, Springer, The Hague / Heidelberg, 155-169.

Brownlie, Ian (1995), Basic Documents in International Law, 4. izd, Oxford University Press, New York

Cassese, Antonio (2005), International Law, Oxford University Press, Oxford

Cassese, Antonio (2005), Međunarodno krivično pravo, Beogradski centar za ljudska prava, Beograd

Certain Expenses of the United Nations (Article 17, paragraph 2, of the Charter), Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. Reports 1962, p. 163.

Clark, Roger S. (2010), ˝Amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Considered at the first Review Conference on the Court, Kampala, 31 May-11 June 2010˝, Goettingen Journal of International Law, 2(2) 689-711.

Clark, Roger S. (2015), ˝The Crime of Aggression˝, u: Stahn, Carsten (ed.), The Law and Practice of the International Criminal Court, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 778-800.

Čejović, Bora (2006), Međunarodno krivično pravo: opšti i posebni deo, Dosije, Beograd

Definicija agresije – Dodatak Rezoluciji Generalne skupštine Ujedinjenih nacija 3314 (XXIX) od 14. decembra 1974.

Degan, Vladimir-Đuro (2008), ˝Zločin genocida pred međunarodnim sudištima˝, Zbornik Pravnog fakulteta u Zagrebu, 58(1-2), 77-95.

Degan, Vladimir-Đuro (2011), ˝Odgovornost za zločin agresije u svim njezinim vidovima˝, Rad Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti, Razred za društvene znanosti, vol. No. 48=510, 233-289.

Degan, Vladimir Đ., Berislav Pavišić (2005), Međunarodno kazneno pravo, Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Rijeci, Rijeka

Degan, Vladimir Đ., Berislav Pavišić, Violeta Beširević (2011), Međunarodno i transnacionalno krivično pravo, Pravni fakultet Univerziteta Union u Beogradu i Službeni glasnik, Beograd

Deklaracija Ujedinjenih nacija o načelima međunarodnoga prava o prijateljskim odnosima i suradnji između država u skladu s Poveljom Ujedinjenih nacija iz 1970.

Delupis, Ingrid D. (2000), The Law of War, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Dimitrijević, Vojin et al (2007), Osnovi međunarodnog javnog prava, Beogradski centar za ljudska prava i Dosije, Beograd

Dimitrijević, Vojin, et al. (2012), Osnovi međunarodnog javnog prava, 3. izd, Beogradski centar za ljudska prava i Dosije studio, Beograd

Dinstein, Yoram (2009), Aggression, Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law

Dixon, Martin (1996), Textbook on International Law, 3. izd, Blackstone Press Limited, London

Dodatak I (Amandmani na Rimski statut ICC o zločinu agresije) Rezoluciji RC/Res.6 (zločin agresije) usvojenu na 13. plenarnoj sjednici 11. juna 2010.

Đurđić, Vojislav, Dragan Jovašević (2003), Međunarodno krivično pravo, Nomos, Beograd

Europa-Institut of Saarland University (ed.) (2014), Public International Law. Selected Documents, vol. IV.

Gill, Terry D. (ed.) (2003), Rosenne’s The World Court: What It is and how It works, 6. izm. izd, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Leiden / Boston

Gomaa, Mohammed M. (2004), ˝The Definition of the Crime of Aggression and the ICC Jurisdiction over that Crime˝, u: Politi, Mauro, Giuseppe Nesi (eds.), The International Criminal Court and the Crime of Aggression, Ashgate, Burlington, 55-77.

Gray, Christine (2003), ˝The Use and Abuse of the International Court of Justice: Cases concerning the Use of Force after Nicaragua˝, European Journal of International Law, 14(5), 867-905.

Grzebyk, Patrycja (2022), ˝Key Risks and Difficulties of Aggression Trials˝, u: Bock, Stefanie, Eckart Conze (eds.), Rethinking the Crime of Aggression: International and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Asser Press, Springer, The Hague / Heidelberg, 269-289.

Hajdarević, Muhamed (2007), Enciklopedijski rječnik diplomatije i međunarodnih odnosa: englesko-francusko-bosanski, Connectum, Sarajevo

Hankel, Gerd (2022), ˝The Versailles Treaty and the Idea of Prosecuting Wars of Aggression˝, u: Bock, Stefanie, Eckart Conze, Rethinking the Crime of Aggression: International and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Asser Press, Springer, The Hague / Heidelberg, 121-138.

Heller, Kevin Jon (2007) ˝Retreat from Nuremberg: The Leadership Requirement in the Crime of Aggression˝, European Journal of International Law, 18(3), 477-497.

Horvitz, Leslie A., Christopher Catherwood (2011), Encyclopedia of War Crimes and Genocide, izm. izd, vol. I, Facts On File, New York

https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/kbpact.asp

https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%2054/volume-I-1292- English.pdf

Human Rights First, Iraqi Special Tribunal: Questions and Answers, dostupno na: www.humanrightsfirst.org

Ibler, Vladimir (1987), Rječnik međunarodnog javnog prava, 2. izm. i dop. izd, Informator, Zagreb

ICC Resolution ICC-ASP/16/Res.5 of 14 December 2017: Activation of the Jurisdiction of the Court over the Crime of Aggression

ICJ, Application instituting Proceedings, Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda), 23. juni 1999.

ICJ, Border and Transborder Armed Actions (Nicaragua v. Costa Rica), Application Instituting Proceedings, 28. juli 1986.

ICJ, Border and Transborder Armed Actions (Nicaragua v. Honduras), Application Instituting Proceedings, 28. juli 1986.

Janković, Branimir M. (1960), Osnovi međunarodnog javnog prava, Veselin Masleša, Sarajevo

Janković, Branimir M. (1974), Međunarodno javno pravo, 3. izd, Naučna knjiga, Beograd

Jovašević, Dragan (2010), Međunarodna krivična dela: odgovornost i kažnjivost, Pravni fakultet u Nišu – Centar za publikacije, Niš

Kazazić, Vesna (2008), Međunarodno humanitarno pravo: difuzija i primjena, Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Mostaru, Mostar

Kazneni zakon Republike Hrvatske, (Narodne novine,br. 125/11, 144/12, 56/15, 61/15, 101/17, 118/18, 126/19, 84/21)

Koh, Harold H., Todd F. Buchwald (2015), ˝The Crime of Aggression: The United States Perspective˝, American Journal of International Law, 109, 263-273.

Konvencija o definiciji agresije između SSSR, Čehoslovačke, Jugoslavije, Rumunije i Turske, 1933.

Konvencija o mirnom rješavanju sporova usvojena na Drugoj haškoj mirovnoj konferenciji, 1907.

Konvencija o pravima i dužnostima država iz Montevidea, 1933.

Kreća, Milenko, Milan Paunović (2002), Praktikum za međunarodno javno pravo, Dosije, Beograd

Kress, Claus (2007), ˝The Crime of Aggression before the First Review of the ICC Statute˝, Leiden Journal of International Law, 20(4), 851-865.

Kress, Claus (2018), ˝On the Activation of ICC Jurisdiction over the Crime of Aggression˝, Journal of International Criminal Justice, 16(1), 1-17.

Krivični zakonik Republike Crne Gore, („Sl. list RCG“, br. 70/2003, 13/2004 - ispr. i 47/2006 i „Sl. list CG“, br. 40/2008, 25/2010, 32/2011, 64/2011 - dr. zakon, 40/2013, 56/2013 - ispr., 14/2015, 42/2015, 58/2015 - dr. zakon, 44/2017, 49/2018 i 3/2020)

Krivični zakonik Republike Srbije, („Sl. glasnik RS“, br. 85/2005, 88/2005 - ispr., 107/2005 - ispr., 72/2009, 111/2009, 121/2012, 104/2013, 108/2014, 94/2016 i 35/2019)

Krivokapić, Boris (2010), Enciklopedijski rečnik međunarodnog prava i međunarodnih odnosa, Službeni glasnik, Beograd

Krivokapić, Boris (2011), Aktuelni problemi međunarodnog prava, Službeni glasnik, Beograd

Lapaš, Davorin (2008), Pravo međunarodnih organizacija, Narodne novine, Zagreb

League of Nations, Declaration Concerning Wars of Aggression, League of Nations Official Journal (Special Supplement No. 53), 24. septembar 1927.

Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Advisory Opinion, I. C. J. Reports 2004, p. 136.

Macić, Bećir (2001), Zločini protiv mira, Institut za istraživanje zločina protiv čovječnosti i međunarodnog prava, Sarajevo

Martin, Elizabeth A. (ed.) (2003), A Dictionary of Law, 5. izd, Oxford University Press, Oxford

Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. United States of America), Merits, Judgment, I. C. J. Reports 1986, p. 14.

Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. United States of America), Jurisdiction and Admissibility, Judgment, I. C. J. Reports 1984, p. 392.

Modabber, Zia (1988), ˝Collective Self-Defense: Nicaragua v. United States˝, Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review, 10(2), 449-468.

Mrkić, Slavko (2009), ˝Međunarodno-pravni tretman rata˝, Međunarodna politika, LXI, 3, 223-243.

Nacrt Pravila o odgovornosti država za međunarodna protupravna djela iz 2001.

Nogo, Sreto (2016), Međunarodno krivično pravo, Catena Mundi, Beograd

Öberg, Marko D. (2006), ˝The Legal Effects of Resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly in the Jurisprudence of the ICJ˝, European Journal of International Law, 16(5), 879-906.

O’Connell, Mary E. (2012), ˝Peace and War˝, u: Fassbender, Bardo, Anne Peters (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of the History of International Law, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 273-295.

Official Records of the General Assembly, Twenty-Fourth Session, Supple ment No. 20 (A/7620), Report of Special Committee, 24. februar – 3. april 1969, str. 1-39, dostupno na: www.derechos.org/peace/dia/doc/dia 65.html

Omerović, Enis (2011), ˝Međunarodni vojni tribunal u Nirnbergu. Pravno-historijski pristup˝, Glasnik Rijaseta IZ u BiH, LXXIII, 3-4, (I dio), 308-330.

Omerović, Enis (2021a), ˝Krivična odgovornost država u međunarodnome pravu: Rethinking ili trajno napuštanje koncepta?˝, Društvene i humanističke studije, 6, 1(14), 143-168.

Omerović, Enis (2021b), ˝Konvencija o sprečavanju i kažnjavanju zločina genocida: Izvor međunarodnih obaveza˝, u: Genocid nad Bošnjacima: Srebrenica 1995-2020: uzroci, razmjere i posljedice, 1, Institut za istraživanje zločina protiv čovječnosti i međunarodnog prava Univerziteta u Sarajevu, Sarajevo, 161-217.

Omerspahić, Zlatan (2009), ˝Pravno-političko određenje pojma agresije˝, Znakovi vremena, 12(45/46), 136-151.

Petrović, Borislav, Dragan Jovašević (2010), Međunarodno krivično pravo, Pravni fakultet Univerziteta u Sarajevu, Sarajevo

Petrović, Borislav, Mustafa Bisić, Velimir Perić (2011), Međunarodno kazneno sudovanje (pregled sudske prakse i relevantnih dokumenata), Privredna štampa, Sarajevo

Politi, Mauro (2012), ˝The ICC and the Crime of Aggression. A Dream that Came Through and the Reality Ahead˝, Journal of International Criminal Justice, 10(1), 267-288.

Povelja Ujedinjenih nacija iz 1945.

Proposals of the Delegation of the Republic of Bolivia for the Organization of a System of Peace and Security, The United Nations Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, 25. april – 26. juni 1945, Doc. 2, G/14(r), 5. maj 1945, 577-586. (www.derechos.org/peace/dia/doc/dia 25.html)

Proposed Amendments to the Dumbarton Oaks Proposals Submitted by the Philippine Delegation, The United Nations Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, 25. april – 26. juni 1945, Doc. 2, G/14(k), 5. maj 1945, 535-539. (www.derechos.org/peace/dia/doc/dia26.html)

Questions of Interpretation and Application of the 1971 Montreal Convention arising from the Aerial Incident at Lockerbie (Lybian Arab Jamahiriya v. United Kingdom), Preliminary Objections, Judgment, I. C. J. Reports 1998, p. 9.

Questions of Interpretation and Application of the 1971 Montreal Convention arising from the Aerial Incident at Lockerbie (Lybian Arab Jamahiriya v. United Kingdom), Provisional Measures, Order of 14 April 1992, I .C. J. Reports 1992, p. 3, Dissenting Opinion by Judge Weeramantry

Report of M. Paul-Boncour, Rapporteur, on Chapter VIII, Section B, The United Nations Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, 25. april – 26. juni 1945, Odbor III/3 (Doc. 881), 10. juni 1945, vol. 12, 502-514. (www.derechos.org/peace/dia/doc/dia31.html)

Rezolucija UNGA, br. 3314 (XXIX) (1974)

Rezolucija UNGA, br. 46/242 (1992)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 1234 (1999)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 326 (1973)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 387 (1976)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 405 (1977)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 573 (1985)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 577 (1985)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 611 (1988)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 660 (1990)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 667 (1990)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 731 (1992)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 748 (1992)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 752 (1992)

Rezolucija UNSC, br. 757 (1992)

Rimski statut Međunarodnoga krivičnoga suda iz 1998.

Sands, Philippe (2006), Lawless World. Making and Breaking Global Rules, Penguin Books, London

Sassòli, Marco, Antoine A. Bouvier, Anne Quintin (2011), How Does Law Protect in War? Cases, Documents and Teaching Materials on Contemporary Practice in International Humanitarian Law, vol. II, 3. proš. i dop. izd, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva

Sayapin, Sergey (2014), The Crime of Aggression in International Criminal Law. Historical Development, Comparative Analysis and Present State, T. M. C. Asser Press, The Hague

Schabas, William A. (2016), The International Criminal Court: A Commentary on the Rome Statute, 2. izd, Oxford University Press, Oxford

Scott, James B. (1928), ˝The Sixth Pan American Conference˝, American Journal of International Law, 22(2), 351-362.

Seizović, Zarije (2008), ˝Pojam agresije u međunarodnom pravu˝, Pravna misao, 7-8, 65-76.

Seršić, Maja (2007), ˝Agresija, samoobrana i anticipatorna samoobrana˝, Zbornik Pravnog fakulteta u Zagrebu, 57(2), 272-290.

Simović, Miodrag N., Milan Blagojević, Vladimir M. Simović (2013), Međunarodno krivično pravo, 2. izm. i dop. izd, Pravni fakultet Univerziteta u Istočnom Sarajevu, Istočno Sarajevo

Sjevernoatlantski ugovor (1949)

Softić, Sakib (2012), Međunarodno pravo, DES, Sarajevo

Sohn, Louis B. (1959), ˝The Definition of Aggression˝, Virginia Law Review, 45(5), 697-701.

Sriram, Chandra L., Olga Martin-Ortega, Johanna Herman (2010), War, Conflict and Human Rights. Theory and Practice, Routledge, London / New York

Steinerte, Elina, Rebecca M. M. Wallace (2008), Nutcases: International Law, Sweet & Maxwell, London

Stojanović, Zoran (2008), Međunarodno krivično pravo, 6. dop. izd., Pravna knjiga, Beograd

The Global Campaign for Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression, www.crimeofaggression.info

The United Nations Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, 25. april – 26. juni 1945, Odbor III/3, vol. 12, 1945, 341-342. (www.derechos.org/peace/dia/doc/dia30.html)

The United Nations Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, 25. april – 26. juni 1945, Odbor III/3, vol. 12, 1945, 348-349. (www.derechos.org/peace/dia/doc/dia30.html)

Trahan, Jennifer (2018), ˝The Crime of Aggression and the International Criminal Court˝, u: Sadat, Leila N. (ed.), Seeking Accountability for the Unlawful Use of Force, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 303-336.

Trahan, Jennifer (2019), ˝Revisiting the Role of the Security Council Concerning the International Criminal Court’s Crime of Aggression˝, The Journal of International Criminal Justice, 17(3), 471-483.

Ugovor o uzajamnoj pomoći (1923)

United Nations (2003), Historical Review of Developments relating to Aggression, United Nations Publication, New York

Weinke, Annette (2022), ˝Individualizing Guilt at Nuremberg˝, u: Bock, Stefanie, Eckart Conze, Rethinking the Crime of Aggression: International and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Asser Press, Springer, The Hague / Heidelberg, 209-223.

Wilmshurst, Elizabeth (2008), Definition of Aggression, General Assembly Resolution 3314 (XXIX) od 14. decembra 1974., dostupno na: United Nations, Audiovisual Library of International Law (http://legal.un.org/avl/ha/da/da.html)

www.derechos.org/peace/dia/doc/dia20.html (LNTS, br. 3391, 1934, 69-77)

www.derechos.org/peace/dia/doc/dia20.html (LNTS, br. 3405, 1934, 81-85)

www.mfa.gov.rs/sr/index.php/dipl-tradicija/istorijski-diplomatski-dokumenti/44-konvencija-definicija-agresije-1933?lang=lat (LNTS, br. 3414, 1934, 213-219)




DOI: https://doi.org/10.51558/2490-3647.2022.7.2.401

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


ISSN: 2490-3604 (print) ● ISSN: 2490-3647 (online)

Društvene i humanističke studije - DHS is under the Creative Commons licence.