The Nuremberg Clause Seventy Years Later
Abstract
The article analyzes the Nuremberg Clause contained in art. 7(2) ECHR, art. 15(2) ICCPR and art. 49(2) CFR. The underlying idea of the clause was to specify the scope of the principle of legalism, while fulfilling the function of a “shield” against potential allegations that post-war criminal trials led to a violation of the principle of nullum crimen nulla poena sine lege. The article shows that, contrary to sometimes formulated claims, the clause should not be regarded as an exception to the lex retro non agit (lex praevia) principle, for it constitutes an autonomous standard expressed by the less strict principle of nullum crimen sine iure. The study also examines the applicability of general principles of law recognized by the international community in the context of criminal liability and demonstrates the practical inoperability of the Nuremberg Clause in that context. The structure of the Nuremberg Clause is also critically examined. The article demonstrates its substantive and logical defects. In conclusions, the author suggests a replacement of the Nuremberg clause with the ‘law of nature’ clause.
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