Legacy of Nuremberg
-
Upload
curran-anderson -
Category
Documents
-
view
33 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Legacy of Nuremberg
Legacy of NurembergLegacy of Nuremberg
Nuremberg TrialsNuremberg Trials
The International Military Tribunal of 1946, convened by the U.S., British, French and Soviets, which convicted the major Nazi leaders who survived World War II
AND Twelve cases tried by U.S. military tribunals at
Nuremberg from1946-9 of groups of doctors, lawyers, industrialists, Einsatzgruppen and more.
LegacyLegacy
International LawHuman Rights & Genocide ConventionsCode of Medical EthicsModels of Bringing Individual Perpetrators
to JusticeDeportations to Home Countries for Justice
TimelineTimeline
2/4-11/45: Yalta agreement signed
by Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin
4/12/45: Truman becomes President
4/12/45: Dachau liberated by U.S.
Timeline continuedTimeline continued
5/2/45: Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson appointed as chief American prosecutor in the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial.
Timeline continuedTimeline continued
5/8/45: Germany surrenders unconditionally to Allies.
8/2/45: Potsdam Protocol
8/8/45: London Agreement
10/6/45: 4 powers issue joint statement of indictment
Timeline continuedTimeline continued
10/18-19/45: 24 men and 7 organizations are indicted, charged with the systematic murder of millions of people
11/20/45: Nuremberg Trials begin. All defendants plead “not guilty.”
Timeline continuedTimeline continued
10/1/46: Verdicts handed down.
10/13/46: All appeals rejected.
10/15/46: Goering commits suicide.
10/16/46: Ten war criminals are hanged.
10/25/46: 12 more trials of 199 officials begin.
Nuremberg ChargesNuremberg Charges
The Common Plan or Conspiracy– Crimes Against Peace– War Crimes– Crimes Against Humanity
Bergen Belsen
The wrongs which we seek to condemn and punish have been so calculated, so malignant, and so devastating, that
civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored, because it cannot survive their
being repeated. …
Justice Jackson from his opening statement
Why Trials?Why Trials?
The Trial which is now about to begin is unique in the history of the jurisprudence of the world and it is of
supreme importance to millions of people all over the globe.
Sir Geoffrey Lawrence, President, Opening Remarks
Create precedents in international lawCreate moral precedentsCollate historical record
Procedural InnovationsProcedural Innovations
International Tribunal
Individuals TriedStates do not commit crimes; individuals do
No Immunity for Heads of State, etc.
Substantive InnovationsSubstantive Innovations
Established Crimes Against Humanity as a charge: mass crimes – murder, torture, (rape)
Established Crime of Genocide
ShortcomingsShortcomings
First time Ad hoc – for a particular purpose
– Need a permanent tribunal to be effective, not subject to political whims and current politics
– ICC 6/98
Not all sides were investigated– Victors’ justice
DefenseDefense
Restrospective Law-making– Ex post facto law
Superior Orders
So …So …
Nuremberg Trials closed the circle …
– International Law prevailed
– Message sent
Legacy: Nuremberg Code of Legacy: Nuremberg Code of Medical EthicsMedical Ethics
Code of Ethics:– Informed Consent mandatory and exercised freely– Experiments must avoid physical and mental
suffering– Experiments must be avoided if death or disabling
injury a possibility
Eventually …Eventually …
War Crimes Trials occur– Accountability– Documentation and trials demonstrate
meticulous planning– Essential to truth-telling and reconciliation
Finally …Finally …
Intervention and Trials are beginning to make a difference …
– Eyes are trained on Washington and Europe
– Perpetrators realize the prospect of accountability