The 2009 AIDP's resolution on universal jurisdiction - An epitaph or a revival call?!

At its 18^th session held in September 2009, the Congress of the International Association of Penal Law adopted the Resolution on Universal Jurisdiction (RUJ). For the past decade, universal jurisdiction has been one of the most debated issues in international criminal law, and the RUJ has been expected to shed valuable light on this controversial subject matter. After setting out the rationale and scope of universal jurisdiction, the RUJ regulates its exercise and subjects it to a number of requirements and limitations. The drafters should be commended for their general support of the idea that states can exercise universal jurisdiction over a limited number of international crimes. However, the RUJ does suffer from a number of weaknesses. Whether it will ultimately serve as a point of reference for state legislators and practitioners therefore remains to be seen.