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What does the principle of aut dedere aut judicare require countries to do?
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International criminal law
Learn about the International Criminal Court.
The principle of aut dedere aut judicare, which is Latin for "either adjudicate or extradite," is a fundamental requirement in international criminal law. It mandates that national governments must either prosecute an offender themselves or extradite that individual to another country that is prepared to conduct the trial.1
This "try or extradite" obligation is established through various international treaties to ensure that perpetrators of serious offenses do not escape justice. It is specifically applied to:
- Grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions1
- The crime of torture1
- Offenses involving terrorism, counterfeiting, and the theft of nuclear materials1
By requiring states to take action, this principle serves as a critical mechanism for accountability, ensuring that those accused of heinous crimes are held responsible for their actions regardless of where they are found.1