HUMAN RIGHTS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

HUMAN RIGHTS - Essay Example A charter was thus crafted that detailed the creation of the International Military Tribunal and the procedure to be followed during the trials. 2 Finally, the trials and the subsequent judgment handed down at the trials for such novel crimes as ‘crimes against humanity,’ ‘crimes against peace,’ (jus ad bellum) and ‘war crimes’ (jus in bello) committed during a state of war 3has established a precedent that became the models in recent cases like Rwanda and Yugoslavia. These judgments assailed, inter alia, on the grounds that they were based on a crime that was in the nature of ex-post facto law, were nevertheless just and fair considering the grievous crimes that were committed. The indictment of about 24 major defendants specified three kinds of crimes: crimes against peace, which included crimes of waging aggressive war, as opposed to self-defence, against other countries; war crimes, or crimes which violated the conduct of war in accordance with Article 46 of the Geneva Convention like â€Å"murder, ill-treatment, and deportation of populations in the conquered territories, the killing of hostages and prisoners of war, the seizing of private property, and the wanton destruction of villages, towns and cities,† and; crimes against humanity, or crimes committed before and during war like â€Å"murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation and other inhumane acts committed against civilian population.† Another crime, that of conspiracy, - the planned commission of the crimes by two or more persons - connected some of the crimes. After eight months of preparation, considered short for a major trial, the trial began on November 20, 1945. 4 To serve as evidence for the prosecution, the indictments came supported by testimonies, photographs and films – with the last two primarily coming from the Germans who obviously documented every atrocious deed they made with pride. The