OUVRAGE : F. Haldemann, T. Unger (eds.), The United Nations Principles to Combat Impunity: A Commentary

Frank HALDEMANN, Thomas UNGER

The fight against impunity has become a growing concern of the international community. Updated in 2005, the UN Set of Principles for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights Through Action to Combat Impunity is the fruit of several years of study, developed under the aegis of the UN Commission on Human Rights and then affirmed by the Human Rights Council. These Principles are today widely accepted as constituting an authoritative reference point for efforts in the fight against impunity for gross human rights abuses and serious violations of international humanitarian law. As a comprehensive attempt to codify universal accountability norms, the UN Set of Principles marks a significant step forward in the debate on the obligation of states to combat impunity in its various forms. 

Bringing together leading experts in the field, this volume provides comprehensive academic commentary of the 38 principles. The book is a perfect companion to the document, setting out the text of the Principles alongside detailed analysis, as well as a full introduction and a guide to the relevant literature and case law. The commentary advances debates and clarifies complex legal issues, making it an essential resource for legal academics, students, and practitioners working in fields such as human rights, international criminal law, and transitional justice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue, D. OrentlicherIntroduction, F. Haldemann, T. Unger

I. Preamble, T. van Boven
II. Definitions, S. Krãhenmann
III. Combating Imputiny: General Obligation

Principle 1. General Obligations of States to Take Effective Action to Combat Impunity,
N. Roht-Arriaza

IV. The Right to Know

A. General Principles

Principle 2. The inalienable right to the truth, D. Groome
Principle 3. The duty to preserve memory, J. Viebach
Principle 4. The Victims'Right to Know, D. Groome
Principle 5. Guarantees to give effect to the right to know, T. Unger

B. Commissions of Inquiry

Principle 6. The establishment and role of truth commissions, M. Freeman, I. Nuzov
Principle 7. Guarantees of independence, impartiality and competence, M. Freeman, I. Nuzov
Principle 8. Definition of a commissionâs terms of reference, A. Bisset
Principle 9. Guarantees for persons implicated, A. Bisset
Principle 10. Guarantees for victims and witnesses testifying on their behalf, A. Bisset
Principle 11. Adequate resources for commissions, H. Varney
Principle 12. Advisory functions of the commissions, H. Varney, I. RobinsonPrinciple 13. Publicizing the Commission's Reports, C. Harwood, Carsten Strahn

C. Preservation of and Access to Archives Bearing Witness to Violations

Principle 14. Measures for the preservation of archives, V. Cadelo, T. PetersonPrinciple 15. Measures for Facilitating Access to Archives, V. Cadelo, T. Huskamp Peterson
Principle 16. Cooperation between archive departments and the courts and non-judicial commissions of inquiry, J. D. Ciorciari,
Principle 17.Specific measures relating to archives containing names, V. Cadelo, T. Peterson
Principle 18. Specific measures related to the restoration of or transition to democracy and/or peace, J. D. Ciorciari

V. The Right to Justice

A. General Principles

Principle 19. Duties of States with regard to the administration of justice, K. Ambos

B. Distribution of Jurisdiction Between National, Foreign, International and Internationalized Courts

Principle 20. Jurisdiction of international and internationalized criminal tribunals, W. Schabas
Principle 21. Measures for strengthening the effectiveness of international legal Principles concerning universal and international jurisdiction, P. Gaeta

C. Restrictions on Rules of Law Justified by Action to Combat Impunity

Principle 22. Nature of restrictive measures, G. Pinzauti
Principle 23. Restrictions on prescription, G. Pinzauti
Principle 24. Restrictions and other measures relating to amnesty, I. Siatitsa, M. Wierda,
Principle 25. Restrictions on the right of asylum, C. Harvey
Principle 26. Restrictions on extradition/non bis in idem, R. Roth,
Principle 27. Restrictions on justifications related to due obedience, superior responsibility, and official status, M. du Plessis
Principle 28. Restrictions on the effects of legislation on disclosure or repentance, C. Gosnell
Principle 29. Restrictions on the jurisdiction of military courts, F. Ni Aolain
Principle 30. Restrictions on the Principle of the irremovability of judges, C. Gosnell

VI.The Right to Reparation/Guarantees of Non-Recurrence

A. The Right to Reparation

Principle 31. Rights and duties arising out of the obligation to make reparation,  F. Haldemann
Principle 32. Reparation procedures,  P. dâArgent, I. de Ghellinck
Principle 33. Publicizing reparation procedures,  L. J. Laplante
Principle 34. Scope of the right to reparation,  L. S. Grosman

B. Guarantees of non-recurrence of violations

Principle 35. General Principles, R. Duthie, A. Mayer-Rieckh
Principle 36. Reform of State institutions, R. Duthie, A. Mayer-Rieckh
Principle 37. Disbandment of parastatal armed forces/demobilization and social reintegration of children, R. Duthie, A. Mayer-Rieckh
Principle 38. Reform of laws and institutions contributing to impunity, R. Duthie, A. Mayer-Riekh

Frank HALDEMANN, Thomas UNGER (eds.), The United Nations Principles to Combat Impunity: A Commentary, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2018 (480 pp.)