Professional Documents
Culture Documents
COMPETITION, 2022
TC-31
IN THE
THE PROSECUTOR
v.
KARATA
&
COLONEL MASTIFA
&
ARAGONIA
&
MAGNOA
&
CATATONIA
&
TAMPURA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS.........................................................................................................I
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES..................................................................................................II
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION..................................................................................VII
STATEMENT OF FACTS................................................................................................VIII
STATEMENT OF ISSUES...................................................................................................IX
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS............................................................................................X
ARGUMENTS ADVANCED..................................................................................................1
PRAYER.................................................................................................................................18
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
CASES
Bahar, Ch. I, Public Redacted Version, (Decision on the Confirmation of Charges) ICC-
Posadas de Puerto Rico Assocs. v. Tourism Co., 478 U.S. 328 (1986);....................................6
SCSL, Brima et al., Appeals Chamber Judgment, SCSL-2004-16-A, 22 February 2008, ¶ 230
....................................................................................................................................................8
SCSL, Brima et al., Trial Chamber Judgment, SCSL-04-16-T, 20 June 2007, ¶ 777...............8
Virginia State Board of Pharmacy v. Virginia Citizens Consumer Council, Inc., 425 U.S. 748,
STATUTES
CONVENTIONS
Conflict, 1954...........................................................................................................................11
JOURNALS/ARTICLES
Gregory S. Gordon, “A War of Media, Words, Newspapers, and Radio Stations”: The ICTR
Media Trial Verdict and a New Chapter in the International Law of Hate Speech, 45 VA. J.
McGill Law Journal, Vol. 46, Issue1, 141-172 (Nov 2000); Doug Cassel, Corporate Aiding
and Abetting of Human Rights Violations: Confusion in the Courts, North-western Vol. 6
Wibke Kristin Timmermann, Incitement in International Criminal Law, 88 INT’L REV. RED
Ambos Brown, Research Handbook on International Criminal Law (2011) 299, 308............14
Ambos, The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court: A commentary (2002) 100313
G. Boas, J.L. Bischoff and N.L. Reid, International Criminal Law Practitioner Library –
G. Werle and F. Jessberger, Principles of International Criminal Law (3rd edn, Oxford: OUP,
2014), at 230...............................................................................................................................8
K. Ambos, Treatise on International Criminal Law – Volume I: Foundations and General Part
Kai Ambos, Treatise on International Criminal Law, Vol. I: Foundations and General .Part
(2013);........................................................................................................................................2
Kai Ambose, Treatise on International Criminal Law: International Criminal Procedure 1016
William a. Schabas, Genocide in International Law: The Crimes of Crimes 51–101 (2000)...2
UN DOCUMENTS
MISCELLANEOUS
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
The Prosecution request that the International Criminal Court exercise its jurisdiction over
Karata, Mastifa, Aragonia, Magnoa, Catatonia & Tampura pursuant to Article 13 of the
Rome Statute.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
The Country of Zanista was one of the largest countries before partition. Zanista comprised
of two main Ethnic groups: Suzus and Pucta. Suzuss hold a liberal mentality with beliefs in
Naturalism and follow practices concerning environment protection, peace, sacrifice, and
equality. Puctas are a religious community that practices idol worship. This difference had
been a major reason for the conflict between the two communities and has resulted in many
The partition of zanista into Araland and Caraland in 1970 led to a brutal experience for the
people belonging to each community and holding properties in the entire country. The two
countries are still in a position of rivalry. Araland, with its natural resource of petroleum had
a peaceful trade relationship with many countries, however, Caraland had built a closed
Araland was also known for its technological development in the field of environmental
protection and medical assistance. It had a good army with advance military system and well-
oiled political relationships with the major powers of the world. In October 2011, when all
the Member States on ANPA were in support of Aralanda becoming a permanent member of
ANPA, Caraland occupied 2 towns on the borders. The United Nations General Assembly
asked Caral and President Karata to stop this illegal occupation. During this period, Human
Rights Activists and Defenders from around the world were producing reports on the
the internet and were being shared with the world population. The United Nations Security
Council referred the situation in Araland to the Prosecutor, in accordance with Article 13 of
the Rome Statute, of the International Criminal Court under Chapter VII of the United
Nations.
STATEMENT OF ISSUES
[ISSUE 1]
Karata is accused of crime of incitement to genocide, where he made comments and used
propaganda for his election to instil the feeling of necessity to kill the Aralandians. His
statements of the election campaign of 2000 and 2005 are reflective of his crimes where he
[ISSUE II]
Mastifa of the Caralandian Military have been accused that they have allowed their soldiers
[ISSUE III]
Lieutenant Magnoa of Aralandic army is charged with destruction of and using cultural
[ISSUE IV]
Soldiers Aragonia and Catatonia have perpetrated war crimes on the innocent civilian
population of Araland. Aragonia is charged for the atrocities that precipitated on the civilian
in 2011 and Catatonia for the atrocities in 2015. The videos and other documentations by
Human Rights Groups, including the newspaper articles are reflective of that
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
Incitement to genocide is a crime under the rome statute and genocide convention. It has two
necessary elements; presence of requisite mental element and the incitement should be direct
and public in nature. The Prosecution has established that the speeches of Karata were direct
and public in nature, Furthermore, it had the required mental element which is required to
constitute incitement to genocide. Moreover, the ICTR has laid down a test to establish
ISSUE 2: MASTIFA AND TAMPURA ARE LIABLE FOR ALLOWING THEIR SOLDIERS TO
Rome statute acknowledges commander responsibility and superiors can be prosecuted for
the actions of their subordinates. Superiors have reasonable duty towards their subordinates
and they can be prosecuted for aiding and abetting the commission of crimes, committed by
their soldiers if they fail to take reasonable and necessary actions to prevent or punish any
such events. Furthermore, they can be held individually criminally responsible if the soldiers
under their supervision commit any war crimes. In the instant case both Mastifa and Tampura
aided and abetted commission of war crimes by not taking reasonable and necessary measure
against such acts, moreover Tampura assisted in commission as acts were carried out on his
orders by mangnoa.
THE DESTRUCTION OF AND USING CULTURAL PROPERTY AS A SAFE BASE DURING THE
ARMED CONFLICT
safe base during the armed conflict and should be held criminally liable because, he has
committed the war crime of attacking protected objects as there was an attack directed by him
against the cultural properties and he intended the properties to be the object of the attack.
Furthermore, Lieutenant Magnoa cannot exclude his criminal liability on the ground of self
defence as there was no imminent threat or danger to him and his defence against it was not
proportional.
Soldier Aragonia was seen in a video standing with 6 Aralandic girls who were made to sit on
their knees with their battered faces exposed and Soldier Catatonia was seen brutally
whipping an Aralandic civilian at the public sphere in one of the towns. Both soldier
Aragonia and Catatonia have committed atrocities on the innocent civilian population of
Araland and therefore have committed war crimes under Section 8 of the Rome statute and
should be charged for Individual Criminal Responsibility as their act was intentionally
ARGUMENTS ADVANCED
1. Prosecution submits that Karata is liable for the crime of incitement to genocide. In this
regard, it is further submitted that [A] the Court has the jurisdiction to rule over the above
proceedings; [B] the essentials of incitement to genocide are met in the present case; [C]
the speeches fulfil the criteria laid down by the International Criminal Tribunal of
Rwanda (ICTR).
2. Art. 13 of the Rome Statute gives power to exercise jurisdiction. 1 It states that the Court
may exercise its jurisdiction with respect to a crime referred to in Art. 5 in accordance
with the provisions of this Statute if a situation in which one or more of such crimes
appears to have been committed is referred to the Prosecutor by the Security Council
3. In the present case, Karata belongs to Caraland, which is not a signatory to the Rome
Statute; however, it is a permanent member of the United Nations. The United Nations
Security Council has referred the situation to the Prosecutor 3. Therefore, the Hon’ble
4. Article III(c) of the Genocide Convention4 and 25(3) (e) of the Rome Statute5 provides
1
The Rome Statute, 2002, Art. 13.
2
The Rome Statute, 2002 Art. 5.
3
Compromis ¶ 11.
4
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, Art. III (c).
5
The Rome Statute, 2002, Art. 25(3) (e).
international law have reasoned that there are two essentials of incitement to genocide
that are; Presence of Dolus Specialis [B.1]; And public and direct nature of incitement
[B.2].
5. The mental requirement for the crime of genocide is provided for in Article II (1) of the
Genocide Convention.8 This intent amounts to dolus specialis; that is, to an aggravated
criminal intention, which is required in addition to the criminal intent accompanying the
to genocide is that the inciter must have genocidal intent, i.e., dolus specialis.10 Moreover,
the genocidal intent is expressed through explicit phrases, such as the one urged in the
6. In the present case, usage of phrases, such as “Save Pucta, at every cost even when
violence presents as the last choice to do that’ etc.”,12 “This time we will make Zanista
through Caraland”,13 ”Come what may, the land of Zanista belonged to the Pucta and
the Puctas will get it back”14 and “Use of violence in getting your homeland back
6
ICTY Prosecutor v. Krstić, Case No IT-98-33-A (19 Apr 2004); The Prosecutor v. Ferdinand Nahimana, Jean-
Bosco Barayagwiza, Hassan Ngeze, ICTR-99-52-A (3 Dec 2003); Prakash v. State, (1991)1 SCR, 2012.
7
Wibke Kristin Timmermann, Incitement in International Criminal Law, 88 INT’L REV. RED CROSS 823,
832 (2006); Nehemiah Robinson, The Genocide Convention: A Commentary (1960); William a. Schabas,
Genocide in International Law: The Crimes of Crimes 51–101 (2000); McGill Law Journal, Vol. 46, Issue1,
141-172 (Nov 2000); Doug Cassel, Corporate Aiding and Abetting of Human Rights Violations: Confusion in
the Courts, North-western Vol. 6 JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS, (2008); Kai Ambos,
Treatise on International Criminal Law, Vol. I: Foundations and General .Part (2013); UN Doc E/447,1947, Art
II(II)(2); Richard A. Wilson, Inciting Genocide with Words, 36 MICH. J. INT'L L. 277 (2015); Benesch, Susan,
Vile Crime or Inalienable Right: Defining Incitement to Genocide, VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW, Vol. 48, No. 3 (2008).
8
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 1948, Art. II(1).
9
Antonio Cassese et al, Incitement to Commit Genocide, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL LAW, CASES AND COMMENTARY, 413 (2011).
10
The Prosecutor v. Ferdinand Nahimana, Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza, Hassan Ngeze, ICTR-99-52-A (3 Dec
2003).
11
Id.
12
Compromis, ¶ 5.
13
Compromis, ¶ 6
14
Compromis, ¶ 6.
7. Therefore, considering the judgement of the court in the Rwanda genocide case and the
phrases used by Karata, it can be concluded that Karata’s intent was to incite genocide.
8. Additionally, the ICTR Chamber concluded that dolus specialis can be inferred either
from words or deeds, together with evidence such as the physical targeting of the group or
their property, and the use of derogatory language towards members of the targeted
Hassan Ngeze, 17
the court ruled that the term “cockroaches” used for Tutsis was
dehumanising.18
9. Similarly, the word ‘rats’19 was used for Suzuss in the instant case. Karata’s intention
behind using such an offensive term was to dehumanise Suzuss, so that hardly anyone
10. In the Akayesu case, the ICTR deemed that to incite “directly” means that another person
interpretation of ambiguous language, the ICTR stated that the direct element is meant to
be “viewed in the light of its cultural and linguistic context”. 21 In the Rwandan genocide,
the president of the interim government exhorted people to “get to work,” and Rwandans
for their country but also to make the world free from dirt” 23 and “Come what may, the
land of Zanista belonged to the Pucta and the Puctas will get it back” 24 which signifies a
direct call for action. Reports signifying the subsequent attacks as ‘the most inhuman
brutally furious attacks on the civilian population of the decade,’ and some reporters
quoting it as ‘second genocide after the holocaust, clearly establish it was a direct call for
action.
12. Additionally, the cultural context within which the publishing of the statements took
place is pertinent to note. Firstly, the two countries were still in a position of rivalry, with
Puctas being a religious community that practices idol worship. They believed in strong
religious identity, economic and financial progress, above anything.25 Secondly, political
and economic experts explored the events that transpired in Caraland and published
articles where they argued that the specific steps taken by Caraland and the focus of the
13. The above arguments clearly establish that the speech made by Karata, considering the
14. In Ngirabatware Augustin's case, it was held that “the number of persons and the medium
through which the message is conveyed may be relevant in assessing whether the
attendance was selected or limited, thereby determining whether or not the recipient of
the message was the general public.27 In the instant case, Karata is a political leader who
made several statements during his election campaign that were hateful and incited
genocide.28 The speeches made by Karata were available to the public at large and the
23
Compromis, ¶ 10.
24
Compromis, ¶ .6
25
Compromis, ¶ 5.
26
Compromis, ¶ 5.
27
The Prosecutor v Augustine Ngirabatware, MICT-12-29-A (18 Dec 2014).
28
Compromis, ¶ 5,6,10.
15. Therefore, it is clearly established that it was direct incitement as the speeches were
C. THE SPEECH MADE BY KARATA FULFILS THE CRITERIA LAID DOWN BY ICTR
16. The ICTR in the Rwanda genocide case laid down four essential criteria to categorize
employed four criteria, namely: purpose, context, causation, and relationship between
17. In the present case the purpose was not only to grab political mandate but to incite
genocide, as the speeches continued throughout a larger timeline and the usage of phrases
did not stop till violence was provoked. Furthermore, as already established, the social
and political context in which the speeches were being given was very hostile, and adding
to that, it was also working as propaganda, influencing the minds of the public and
military.
18. In the present case, genocide took place notwithstanding that, in arguendo, it can be said
that there was no direct cause in the instant case. However, in international jurisprudence,
there is no specific causation requirement linking the expression at issue with the
demonstration of a direct effect. In the Streicher case, there was no allegation that the
publication, Der Stürmer was tied to any particular violence. It was found to have
“injected into the minds of thousands of Germans” a “poison” that caused them to support
29
Gregory S. Gordon, “A War of Media, Words, Newspapers, and Radio Stations”: The ICTR Media Trial
Verdict and a New Chapter in the International Law of Hate Speech, 45 VA. J. INT’L L. 140, 155 (2004-2005).
specific acts of violence are cited as having been caused by the applicant’s expression.
Rather, the question considered is what the likely impact might be, recognizing that
20. Furthermore, it is an established fact that Karata had an authoritative relationship with the
general public as he had been in power for a long time and the public viewed and
understood his speeches in their essence. It can be seen from the large mandates and no
opposition from the public that his statements had the ability to incite genocide and the
commission of the crime or if he aids, abets or otherwise assists in its commission. 31The
three essential requirements for aiding and abetting are practical assistance (A.1), moral
30
Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444, 447 (1969); Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, 315 U.S. 568, 572 (1941);
Watts v. United States, 394 U.S. 705 (1969); Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973); Gertz v. Robert Welch,
Inc., 418 U.S. 323 (1974); Virginia State Board of Pharmacy v. Virginia Citizens Consumer Council, Inc., 425
U.S. 748, 771-73 & n. 24 (1976); Posadas de Puerto Rico Assocs. v. Tourism Co., 478 U.S. 328 (1986); NLRB
v. Gissel Packing Co., 395 U.S. 575, 618 (1969); New York v. Ferber, 458 U.S. 747 (1982); F.C.C. v. Pacifica
Foundation, 438 U.S. 726 (1978); Beauharnais v. Illinois, 343 U.S. 250, 251 (1952).
31
ICC Statute, 2003, Art. 25(3)(C); ICC, Prosecutor v. Blé Goudé, No. ICC-02/11-02/11-186, ¶. 167 (2014).
32
ICTY, Prosecutor v. Furundžija, No. IT-95-17/1-A, ¶ 117 (2000); ICTR, Prosecutor v. Ndahimana, No.
ICTR-01-68-A, ¶ 147 (2013).
22. Practical assistance constitutes assistance that has substantial effect on the crime. 33 It does
not require specific direction.34 Mastifa ordered the military commanders to plan and
execute the attack on Araland using deadly weapons to occupy towns and districts. 35As
commander of the Caralandian army, he had substantial control over his army and the
events took place under his supervision, hence it can be concluded that he practically
23. Moral support includes an Act, which is not explicit, being a silent spectator is enough
officer during the commission may indicate moral support that has substantial
effect.38 During the initial attack videos of brutality of Caralandian soldiers surfaced the
internet.39 As commander of the army, one gets reports of every event in the war, Mastifa
took no actions against such events acting as a silent spectator to the crimes, thereby
[A.3] OMISSION
24. The failure to prevent or punish crimes by subordinates or failure to take reasonable care
committed by his or her subordinates, but only constructive knowledge that the crimes
“at fault in having failed to acquire such knowledge”, 42 or could have controlled,
prevented, or modified the commission but failed to do so, his lack of objection meets the
25. In the instant case, some posts and videos on social media depicting the atrocities being
conducted by the soldiers of the Caralandic army on civilians went viral. 44 Furthermore,
United World newspapers, reported this attack as "the most inhuman, brutally furious
attacks on the civilian population of the decade.” And "second genocide after the
holocaust.”45
26. In any event, if it is submitted that Mastifa instructed the soldiers not to commit any
crime against humanity or war crime, against any civilian, women, children, or prisoner
of war.46 Then, it is pertinent to note that in Customary international law (herein after
CIL) and international criminal legal jurisprudence the duty which superior has is far
more.47 The ICTY construed the word "necessary and reasonable measures" to measures
as being someone's power in the Delali case in 1998.48 Moreover it is consistent with the
Judgment, SCSL04-15-T, 2 March 2009, ¶ 279; Halilović Appeal Judgment, supra n 63, ¶ 59(iii); G. Werle and
F. Jessberger, Principles of International Criminal Law (3rd edn, Oxford: OUP, 2014), at 230; see K. Ambos,
Treatise on International Criminal Law – Volume I: Foundations and General Part (Oxford: OUP, 2013), at 197;
G. Boas, J.L. Bischoff and N.L. Reid, International Criminal Law Practitioner Library – Volume I: Forms of
Responsibility in International Criminal Law (Cambridge: CUP, 2007), at 143-144. See also ICTY, Naletilić
and Martinović, Appeals Chamber; Judgment, IT-98-34-A, 3 May 2006, ¶ 331.
41
Kai Ambose, Treatise on International Criminal Law: International Criminal Procedure 1016 (Oxford
University Press 2016); Meloni, Command Responsibility in International Criminal Law (n 27).
42
IMT (Tokyo), Case of the Major War Criminals (Id.., § 693).
43
ICTY, Prosecutor v. Furundžija, No. IT-95-17/1-T, Judgement, 10 December 1998, paras. 217, 218; CMs
44
Compromis ¶ 8.
45
Compromis ¶ 10.
46
Id. at 43.
47
Pavle Strugar v. Duronik, ¶ 374, (2008).
48
Prosecutor v. Tihomir Blaskic IT-95-14-A 2 (2004)
49
Id.
to take necessary measures to prevent such events as only instructing his soldiers was not
sufficient which is evident from the circumstances, he had a greater duty of care and
should have acted more reasonably to carry out his obligations, Mastifa’s blatant failure
to take necessary reasonable measures, his lack of objection and unreasonableness in the
present case resulted in commission of crimes, therefore he must be held liable for
omission.
28. Attacking protected objects or using them in support of the military effort is prohibited
under international criminal law.50 The duty of care needs should be higher in military
operations to avoid damage to protected objects unless they are military objectives. 51
Furthermore, medical units and transports shall be respected and protected at all times and
29. In the present case, Tampura caused the destruction of cultural property as, on his orders,
Magnoa, in retaliation, carried out strikes that resulted in the destruction of cultural
property.53 Not only that, but he also allowed his army to establish bases on multiple sites
of destroyed cultural properties, hospitals, and schools neglecting the required duty of
care.
30. In light of the above arguments, it can be concluded that the essentials of individual
criminal responsibility are met in the instant case. As commander, Tampura aided in the
commission of the crime and clearly facilitated the crime. Being a high-ranking officer,
50
Additional Protocol (II), Geneva Convention, 1997, Article 16; Rome Statute, 2002, Article 8(2)(e)(iv)
51
Customary International Humanitarian Law, Rule 38.
52
Additional Protocol II, Geneva Convention, 1997, Article 11.
53
Compromis, Clarifications 13.
ARMED CONFLICT.
31. Lieutenant Magnoa should be charged with destruction of and using cultural property as a
safe base during the armed conflict because, the war crime of attacking protected objects
is committed [A]; Lieutenant Magnoa was not acting under self-defence [B].
32. Article 8(2) (b) (ix) of the Rome Statute provides three elements that must be fulfilled to
33. An attack encompasses any act of violence against protected objects. 55 There is no
necessity to show a distinction between an attack that was carried out in the conduct of
hostilities.56
34. During the armed conflict, Araland destroyed cultural properties by using weaponry
system and used other civilian properties as their bases.57 Lieutenant Magnoa was
reported to have made a plan to convert a part of the roof of the cultural building into a
safe place for his troops.58 In light of the above information it can be concluded that
54
Rome Statute, 2002, Article 8(2)(b)(ix).
55
The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi, ICC-01/12-01/15 ¶ 15 (2016).
56
Id.
57
Compromis, ¶ 10.
58
Id.
35. Article 52(1) of Additional Protocol I prohibit explicitly attacks or reprisals on civilian
objects.59 It defines civilian objects as "all objects which are not military objectives".
36. Military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or
use make an effective contribution to military action and whose total or partial
37. The Araland army in retaliation used weaponry system which resulted in destruction of
cultural properties.62 It is pertinent to note that it has nowhere been established that these
cultural properties that were destructed by Araland served any military objective or
advantage, rather it was just done for retaliation. the objects of the attack were cultural
buildings. The cultural properties not being a military objective makes it evident that the
object of the attack in the instant case was the cultural property.
[A.3] THE PERPETRATOR INTENDED FOR SUCH A BUILDING TO BE THE OBJECT OF THE
ATTACK.
38. To prove intent, the perpetrator must act with a direct intent to damage or destroy the
institutions identified as dedicated to religion at the time of the acts. 64 The special
protection awarded to cultural property itself may not be lost simply because of military
59
Additional Protocol, Geneva Convention, 1997, Article 52.
60
Additional Protocol (I), Geneva Convention, 1997, Article 52(2); The Hague Convention for the Protection of
Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, 1954, Article 1(f).
61
Prosecutor v. Jokic’, Judgement, IT-01-42/1, ¶. 51.665 (2004).
62
Compromis ¶ 10.
63
Id. at 47.
64
The Prosecutor v. Tihomir Blaskic, (Trial Chamber) IT-95-14-T, ¶ 185 (2000).
be taken in military operations to avoid damage to protected objects unless they are
military objectives.66
39. It has nowhere been established that the cultural property in question was the only
property that could have been used as a safe place for the troops to take cover from the
airstrikes. Furthermore, it has nowhere been established that the attacks by Araland on
Cultural properties provided them with any military advantage and hence, they are not
40. The Rome Statute provides self-defence as a ground for excluding criminal
responsibility.67 The said provision has two essential requirements for the exclusion of
41. The exclusion of criminal responsibility in any of the various instances of this provision
requires the ‘imminent’ and ‘unlawful’ ‘use of force’. As force can be exerted in various
ways and to varying degrees and no further qualification is required, it can be understood
the use of force by the attacker must be unlawful. This is the case when the use of force is
not justified for its part by law or any other legally valid permission or order.
65
Prosecutor v. Pavle Strugar, IT-01-42-T, ¶310 (2005).
66
Customary International Humanitarian Law, Rule 38.
67
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, 2002, Article 31 (1)(c).
68
Ambos, The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court: A commentary (2002) 1003.
69
Id.
state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations, is a
crime of aggression.71
43. In the present case, air strikes and other attacks were being conducted on Araland by the
Caralandian army.72 In order to retaliate to those air strikes and attacks, Araland used their
army. 73
Additionally, Lieutenant Magnoa’s plan to convert a part of the roof of the
cultural building into a safe place was to provide cover for his troops in the midst of an
44. Araland was previously attacked by Caraland in 2011. 75 The current armed conflict went
on for 2.5 years. There were attacks and air strikes being conducted throughout the
period. Araland even established bases at destroyed schools and hospitals. Also,
Lieutenant Magnoa was planning to convert a part of the roof of the cultural building as a
safe place. Though, the continuous attacks being conducted on Araland by the Caralandic
45. However, the destruction of Cultural property by Aralandic army was done in retaliation
and the same cannot be said to do under an imminent threat. Therefore, relying on the
above arguments, it can be concluded that Lieutenant Magnoa and the Araland army was
already apprehensive of the threat of air strikes and it was not imminent. Moreover, they
were not under qualified or immediate danger by the unlawful forces of the Carlandian
70
Cryer, An Introduction to International Criminal Law and Procedure (2014) 405.
71
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court 2002, Article 8.
72
Compromis ¶ 10.
73
Id.
74
Compromis ¶ 10.
75
Compromis, ¶ 7.
46. The defensive reaction must be reasonable in terms of being necessary as well as able to
prevent the danger. This means that the defensive reaction might neither be excessive by
causing more harm to the aggressor than is needed for diverting the attack or a danger nor
inapt by implying inefficient or otherwise futile means.76 Furthermore, even as long as the
defensive reaction is reasonable in terms of being necessary and suitable to divert the
necessity”78
47. In the present case, though there were airstrikes being conducted by the Caralandic army,
it has nowhere been established that these airstrikes caused harm to human life or Cultural
destroyed multiple cultural properties, no justification for which has been established as
their destruction did not provide Araland with any military advantage.. As the properties
that were destructed by the orders of the Lieutenant 79 were not in proportion to the harm
IV. SOLDIERS ARAGONIA AND CATATONIA HAVE PERPETRATED WAR CRIMES ON THE
48. Aragonia and Catatonia have committed atrocities on the innocent civilian population of
Araland therefore have committed war crimes under Art. 8 of the Rome statute and
76
Ambos Brown, Research Handbook on International Criminal Law (2011) 299, 308.
77
German Penal Code, 1871, § 32.
78
Id.
79
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court 1998, Article 8.
lists out act against persons or property protected under the provisions of Geneva
directing attacks against the civilian population and should be charged for Individual
50. Intentionally directing against attack against the civilian population as such, and making
them the object of attack is a war crime81. In order to establish liability under this crime,
51. An attack is defined as “acts of violence against the adversary, whether in offence or in
defence”82 and even the mere launching of an attack without any harmful impact on the
civilian population or individual civilians is sufficient to fall within the meaning of attack
of Article 8(2)(b)(i)83. Furthermore, Video and electronic evidences have been admitted in
52. In the instant case, Aragonia was seen in a video standing with 6 Aralandic girls who
were made to sit on their knees with their battered faces exposed 85. When taken in
consideration with the circumstances that an armed conflict was taking place and several
videos depicting attacks on civilians been taking place, the video showing the Aralandic
80
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court art. 8, Nov. 10, 1998, U.N. Doc. A/Conf.183/9 (July 17,
2002).
81
Prosecutor v Katanga, ICC-01/04-01/07-3436 (2014), ¶ 798; Prosecutor v Ntaganda, ICC-01/04-02/06-309
(2014), ¶45.
82
Bahar, Ch. I, Public Redacted Version, (Decision on the Confirmation of Charges) ICC-02/05-02/09-243-red
(8 February 2010), ¶65; Prosecutor v Katanga, (Trial Chamber II) ICC-01/04-01/07-3436 (7 March 2014),
(“Katanga’s Case II”) ¶ 798; Prosecutor v Ntaganda, (Pre-Trial Chamber II) ICC-01/04-02/06-309 (9 June
2014), (“Ntaganda’s Case”), ¶45.
83
Prosecutor v Katanga, (Pre-Trial Chamber I) ICC-01/04-01/07-55 (6 July 2007), (“Katanga’s Case I”), ¶37.
84
Prosecutor v. Lubanga, ICC-01/04-01/06-1263 2008; Prosecutor v. Bemba, ICC-01/05-01/08 2016.
85
Compromis ¶ 10.
being committed against them by Aragonia. Additionally, in one of the videos Catatonia
was seen brutally whipping an Aralandic civilian at the public sphere in one of the
towns86. The act of Catatonia is evidently an act of violence in the present case.
53. A civilian is anyone who is not a member of the State or non-State armed forces 87 and
making the civilians as object of attack or doing acts or threats of violence to spread terror
among the civilians are prohibited88. Where the attack is directed towards a legitimate
military objective and simultaneously the civilian population or civilians not taking direct
part in the hostilities, the perpetrator can still be prosecuted under Article 8(2)(b)(i) 89.The
facts itself establishes that the attack was against civilians and no information in the
compromis is stating otherwise, therefore, it can be reasonably concluded that the object
[A.i.iii] The perpetrator intended for the civilians to be the object of the attack
54. The threshold for mental element is that the perpetrator knew or should have known about
the civilian character of the objects damaged.90 Such a standard is met when the attack has
been conducted intentionally with the knowledge 91. In case of doubt, persons shall be
considered to be civilians.92
55. 6 Aralandic girls were made to sit on their knees with their battered faces while Aragonia
was standing next to them 93. Furthermore, Catatonia was captured brutally whipping an
Aralandic civilian at the public sphere in one of the towns. 94 No information in the
86
Compromis ¶ 10.
87
Additional Protocol II of Geneva Convention 1997, Article 13.
88
Article 13 of Additional Protocol II.
89
The Prosecutor v. Germain Katanga, 52 ILM 873 (2013), ¶142.
90
Prosecutor v Radovan Karadzic, ICTY, IT-95-05/18-PT (2009), ¶4.
91
ICTY, The Prosecutor v. Blaskic’s, IT-95-14 (2005) ¶180.
92
ICC, Prosecutor v. Mbarushimana, ICC-01/04-01/10-465 (2011), ¶ 279.
93
Compromis ¶ 10.
94
Id.
civilains or that they misunderstood the civilians as soldiers did not intend. Therefore,
based on the arguments made it can be concluded that Aragonia and Catatonia intended
PRAYER
Cited, The Applicant Respectfully Requests This Court to Adjudge And Declare That:
II. Commander Tampura and Mastifa both are individually criminally responsible;
III. Lieutenant Magnoa of the Aralandic army should be charged with the destruction of
and using cultural property as a safe base during the armed conflict;
IV. Soldiers Aragonia and Catatonis have perpetrated war crimes on the innocent Civilian
Population of Araland.
And pass any order, direction or relief that it may deem fit in the interests of justice, equity
S/d
[PRAYER] PAGE | 18