What did the Nuremburg and Tokyo trials establish for future war crimes?
The Nuremberg and Tokyo trials were significant events in the aftermath of World War II that established important principles and norms regarding war crimes. Here is an explanation of what these trials established:
1. Accountability: The trials established the principle that individuals, including high-ranking officials, can be held personally responsible for their actions during times of war. It demonstrated that even in the context of state-sanctioned actions, individuals can be held accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
2. Definition of war crimes: The trials contributed to the development and refinement of the legal definition of war crimes. They provided clear examples of crimes committed during World War II, including the Holocaust, mass killings, torture, and atrocities against civilians. These atrocities were classified as violations of international humanitarian law and established a foundation for future prosecutions.
3. International jurisdiction: The trials emphasized the idea of international jurisdiction over war crimes. They demonstrated that nations can collaborate and cooperate in holding individuals accountable for crimes committed on a global scale. This led to the establishment of international courts, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), which now have the authority to prosecute individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
4. Individual responsibility: The trials established the concept of "individual responsibility," which means that individuals cannot claim immunity or hide behind orders from superiors to justify war crimes. The trials emphasized that soldiers and officials have an obligation to refuse unlawful orders and are responsible for their own actions.
5. Deterrence: The trials aimed to deter future war crimes by demonstrating that individuals can be held accountable for their actions. The trials served as a warning to potential perpetrators that their actions would face legal consequences, which played a role in shaping the post-war international legal framework.
In summary, the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials established principles of accountability, defined war crimes, expanded the notion of international jurisdiction, emphasized individual responsibility, and aimed to deter future war crimes. These trials were instrumental in developing the foundation for prosecuting and preventing war crimes in the future.
These sites should be of considerable help with this question.
http://religion.rutgers.edu/courses/347/readings/war_crimes.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/warcrimes/icc1.html
http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/int_war_crime_tribunals/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Military_Tribunal_for_the_Far_East