Topic:
Country: Ghana
Delegate Name: Thomas Meyer
Committee: LEGAL
Topic: Principle of Universal Jurisdiction
Delegate: Thomas Meyer
School: Williamston High School
Universal jurisdiction is the idea that the United Nations can try people for crimes even in a country where the crime was not committed. It allows those who perpetrate heinous crimes to be tried by any nation. This is particularly important because without Universal jurisdiction the UN would need a country to agree to extradite one of their citizens, which has proved to be difficult in the past. Key examples of this concept being used include a Nazi official being prosecuted by Israel in 1961 and the UK voting to extradite former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet to Spain.
Ghana is very supportive of universal jurisdiction. In 2014 Ghana hosted a seminar to foster cooperation with high level officials from nine different African countries. Goals discussed included witness protection and investigations.. In the past they have also passed laws so that in Ghana international crimes are also considered domestic crimes.
The country of Ghana suggests that every country should agree to not only punish international fugitives, but also refuse to harbor them and extradite any international criminals they have in the country. Ghana suggests that there could be a punishment for any nation that breaks these rules.
