Universal Jurisdiction: Friend or Foe of Criminal Justice System

Abstract

                  The principle of universal jurisdiction has been recognized as a tool in the assistance of criminal justice, especially in the area of international justice for victims of international crime. The principle has long been established and widely incorporated into many international treaties as a customary international law. In the wake of the Holocaust, war crime and terrorism, the principle has gained greater attention and recognition for the role of an assistant to international crime suppression. Despite its significant role in the international criminal justice system, there are certain practical limits in the application of the principle that are worth explored and noted. These limits include the issues concerning due process of law, democratic accountability, availability of evidentiary resources and the maintenance of foreign relations.