An Introduction To International Criminal Law A... < 2026 Edition >

Acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. It is often called the "crime of crimes."

“International Criminal Law (ICL),” Thorne began, pacing slowly, “is not about property disputes or contract breaches. It is the world’s collective response to the unthinkable. It is the legal bridge between the sovereign power of a nation and the universal rights of a human being.” The Core Pillars: The "Core Crimes" An Introduction to International Criminal Law a...

One student raised her hand. "But what if the person is a President?" Acts committed with the intent to destroy, in

The story of ICL, Thorne told his students, is a story of evolution born from tragedy. It is the legal bridge between the sovereign

Thorne explained that ICL focuses on four specific categories of crimes that are so grave they affect the international community as a whole.

"That is the beauty—and the struggle—of ICL," Thorne replied. "Under this framework, is irrelevant. There is no immunity for core crimes. Whether you are a foot soldier or a General, if you pull the trigger or give the order, the law can find you." He noted that ICL rests on two major principles:

You are responsible for your own actions.