Technology
The Principle of Universal Jurisdiction in International Law
Quick fact
Unlike ordinary criminal law, which requires a link to the country (territory, nationality, or victim), universal jurisdiction allows any state to prosecute genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and torture—even if the crime occurred far away and involved no nationals of that state.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a German court trying a Syrian official for atrocities committed in Syria, even though neither Germany nor the victims were involved. How is that possible?