Chapter 10. Impunity Vs. Accountability For Wrongs Under International Human Rights And Humanitarian Law
In: International Humanitarian Law: OriginsSearch for other papers by Patrick J. Flood in
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Abstract
This chapter looks at several kinds of accountability that exist for major violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law, the reasons why accountability by individuals (and not just by states) is important, practical limitations on accountability, and a few examples of impunity and accountability. It is an introduction rather than a systematic treatment or comprehensive survey of cases of either impunity or accountability or of the actual or proposed mechanisms for dealing with them. In the near term, it seems likely that ad hoc tribunals created by the Security Council will continue to serve as the most effective steps toward strengthening the judicial capacity of the international system to effect accountability for gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law. The author believes this assessment accurately reflects the real state of development of the international political system.