Universal criminal jurisdiction: new approach in western european countries

Abstract

This paper focuses on universal criminal jurisdiction in western European countries. Although the International Criminal Court has facilitated some compliance with the Statute of Rome 1998, some European countries have been criticised for placing restrictive conditions on the exercise of this jurisdiction. However, with the Syrian Conflict and the emergence of terrorist groups, universal jurisdiction has again been proposed to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity by perpetrators who have sought asylum in Europe.