Lecture - Universal Jurisdiction: The Dilemma On International Justice February 22, 2010

Baltasar Garzón, Judge, Criminal Court of Spain in conversation with David J. Scheffer, Mayer Brown/Robert A. Helman Professor of Law and Director, Center for International Human Rights, Northwestern University School of Law
Universal jurisdiction is a principle in international law where states can claim criminal jurisdiction over persons whose alleged crimes were committed outside the boundaries of the prosecuting state, regardless of any relation with the prosecuting country. Please join The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago for a special discussion with Judge Baltasar Garzón on the benefits, risks, and limits of this principle.
Baltasar Garzón Real is a Spanish judge currently seated on the Criminal Court of Spain. Garzón rose to prominence as an international figure with his indictment of leaders of the former Chilean military junta, including the ailing dictator Augusto Pinochet, on charges of genocide, terrorism and torture. While Garzón's request was ultimately denied by a political decision, the event marked an unprecedented use of universal jurisdiction in an attempt to try a former dictator for an international crime.

Official Website: http://chicago.cervantes.es