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Dear Heaven Maker:
Project Heaven on Earth is the new story of what it means to be a human and what it means to be Humanity. Humanity has to solve Humanity’s problems and Humanity has to provide opportunities for Humanity to blossom and thrive.
I’ve been looking at ways we can explore and deepen the experience of ‘Humanity.’ One way I’ve discovered is by exploring the legal concept of ‘Crimes Against Humanity.’ To find out more, I spoke with Dr. Johan D. van der Vyver, I.T. Cohen Professor of International Law & Human Rights, Emory University School of Law, in Atlanta, Georgia. This is what I learned.
In law, a territorial jurisdiction (a country) can only make laws affecting the people within its jurisdiction. Years ago, as the issue of sea piracy erupted there was a problem with this view. For example, a pirate ship from country A attacks a ship from country B at sea. Since the crime takes place on the high seas it is under the legal jurisdiction of no country. Piracy was the first major issue that the nations of the world agreed had to be under a new concept in law, Universal Jurisdiction. They agreed that any country could bring charges against the pirate ship. The rational was that it was a crime against the human race.
After World War Two, the Nuremberg Trials extended Universal Jurisdiction to include war crimes. Then, war crimes were again broadened to include torture, genocide, and rape. Universal Jurisdiction was further extended from a crime in ‘no-man’s land’ (ie. the sea) to a crime committed within a country when the crime ‘shocked the conscience of humankind.’ These new laws now reflected universal moral standards, ethical norms, and international propriety.
Most recently, both the Rome Statute Conference for the founding of the International Criminal Court, and the United Nations, specifically defined those crimes that are ‘Crimes Against Humanity.’ The common features of these crimes are that they are: widespread, systematic, and directed against a civilian population or a ‘group’ element.
What I took away from my discussion with Dr. van der Vyver is Humanity is now saying that:
- There are specific legally defined ‘Crimes against Humanity.’
- If you commit one or more of these crimes, you will be charged, and if convicted you will suffer the consequences.
- You can no longer hide behind territorial (national) self-interest/protection.
- You can be charged in another country for crimes you committed in your own country.
- The world is watching and will take the necessary legal actions to bring perpetrators to justice.
International Law now says ‘We Humanity’ will act when ‘Crimes against Humanity’ occur. We will bring the perpetrators to justice. ‘We Humanity’ have put the world on notice that we will no longer permit these atrocities.
The same collective responsibility is beginning to happen with Covid. Covid doesn’t respect borders. It effects our entire human family and ‘We Humanity’ have to care for Humanity. We have to come together to help all members of our family, like India, who don’t have the means, at the moment, to help themselves. ‘We Humanity’ have to solve Covid.
Environmental destruction is a similar issue. It also doesn’t respect national borders. ‘We Humanity’ are beginning to wake up and take action to stop it.
How are you experiencing and taking action as Humanity? I invite you to take one action as ‘We Humanity’ today.
With love,
Martin
United Nations:
To see what the United Nations defines as Crimes Against Humanity:
https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/crimes-against-humanity.shtml
International Criminal Court:
To see what the International Criminal Court defines as Crimes Against Humanity, see page 7:
https://www.icc-cpi.int/resource-library/Documents/RS-Eng.pdf
PS: Please contribute to end the Covid suffering in India. Here are 10 charities working there.
Martin Rutte
