Topic:
Country: China
Delegate Name: Izzy Sheppard
Delegate: Izzy Sheppard
School: Williamston High School
Committee: Legal Committee
Topic: Principle of Universal Jurisdiction
Country: People’s Republic of China
Universal jurisdiction has been a key part of the United Nations from the very beginning. Universal jurisdiction is the right of any member nation to be able to prosecute any person who has committed severe international crimes, no matter their origin or current home country. Nations can only participate in prosecution if they have agreed to let people from their nation to be prosecuted. Universal jurisdiction has successfully worked multiple times since its creation with the prosecution of many top Nazi officials from World War II, as well as other corrupt politicians and other major criminals. The system functions to provide a backup for prosecuting grave crimes in the case that the state the crime is committed in does not take care of it in its courts. The idea of universal jurisdiction has effectively helped prosecute heinous acts, while also providing support to all people to report international crimes worldwide.
China has supported universal jurisdiction since its beginning having signed the 1949 Geneva Conventions and fully supported universal jurisdiction in its entirety throughout history. China has actively supported this system since its founding and though it has never actively persecuted another nation or individual for war crimes, China supports every nation’s right to do so. China has also had lots of input regarding proceedings of universal jurisdiction with former delegates of China writing the Chairman of the General Assembly of the UN regarding China’s strong support and China’s position on what actions the UN should take to ensure that universal jurisdiction is a tool all nations can use. China has suggested many ideas, such as how the GA establishes parameters to ensure that universal jurisdiction will not be abused by any nation in any capacity, and also a stricter term as to help nations when and when not to be able to use universal jurisdiction.
Proceeding, much like in the past, China would like to further support and strengthen universal jurisdiction. China would gladly work with member nations to ensure both proper accessibility and proper use of the system, to ensure that true international justice can be achieved. To this end, China would possibly like to see some kind of plan laid out so that nations that need it can receive help to ensure the proper opportunity to prosecute a nation or an individual for heinous international crimes. To achieve this, China would look favorably upon the establishment of a monetary fund so that countries can afford and receive the proper resources to achieve total universal jurisdiction accessibility. China would also like to further define the system of universal jurisdiction to prevent nations from misinterpreting the policies that allow for it to function and abuse it. China will gladly work with other nations to ensure that the ability to prosecute a nation or person through universal jurisdiction is protected.
Works Cited:
Binxin, Zhang. “Criminal Justice for World War II Atrocities in China.” TOAEP, 2014.
Human Rights Watch. “Basic Facts on Universal Jurisdiction.” Human Rights Watch, 28 Oct. 2020, www.hrw.org/news/2009/10/19/basic-facts-universal-jurisdiction.
Kai, Li. “At the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly On Agenda Item 84 The Scope and Application of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction.” Chinese Delegation, 2015.
Wu, Zhou. “Statement by Mr. Zhou Wu Chinese Delegate ( Translation) At the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly On Agenda Item 86 The Scope and Application of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction.” Chinese Delegation, 2015.
