The Rise of ‘Universal jurisdiction’ Cases in the Aftermath of Recent Human Rights Crises

‘Universal jurisdiction’ is a principle of international law based on the recognition that certain crimes are so horrific that they affect the international community as a whole. Universal jurisdiction is therefore a key component in the fight against impunity. This thesis will analyze specific recent cases (for example, concerning Syria) where the principle of universal jurisdiction has been and is being applied in practice by domestic courts and see what the future will bring. Is universal jurisdiction the ‘silver bullet’ in view of the International Criminal Court’s restricted capacity?