Topic:
Country: Finland
Delegate Name: RJ(Robert) Langen
Legal Committee
The Principle Of Universal Justice
The Republic of Finland
RJ(Robert) Langen
Forest Hills Northern
Finland is a country that values human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Finland believes that universal justice is a principle that allows states or international organizations to claim criminal jurisdiction over individuals who commit serious crimes against international law, such as crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, and torture, regardless of where the crime was committed or the nationality of the perpetrator or the victim. Finland supports the idea that such crimes harm the international community or international order itself, which individual states may act to protect.
Finland recognizes that universal justice is not only a legal concept but also a moral duty and a means to prevent impunity and ensure accountability for grave human rights violations. Finland has incorporated universal jurisdiction into its national legislation, allowing its courts to prosecute persons suspected of crimes under international law. Finland has also ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is based on the principle of complementarity, meaning that the ICC can only exercise jurisdiction when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.
Finland urges all states to adopt legislation that enables the exercise of universal jurisdiction over crimes under international law and to cooperate with the ICC and other international tribunals that seek to bring justice to the victims of such crimes. Finland also calls for the respect and protection of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and civil society organizations that work to expose and document human rights violations and support universal justice. Finland believes that universal justice is essential for achieving peace, security, and reconciliation in the world.
Sources
“Human rights in Finland – Wikipedia.”
“Finland’s international human rights policy – Ministry for Foreign …”
“UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION LAW AND PRACTICE IN FINLAND – TRIAL International.”
“Universal Jurisdiction Law and Practice in Finland – Open Society Justice Initiative.”
“Finland — The scope and application of the principle of universal …”
“Basic Facts on Universal Jurisdiction | Human Rights Watch.”
.“States Parties to the ICC | International Criminal Court Project.”
“Western European and Other States | International Criminal Court – ICC.”
“European Union and the International Criminal Court – Wikipedia.”
“Supporting Human Rights Defenders Together: Guidelines of the Finnish …”
