The universality principle is one of the five widely recognized principles of jurisdiction in international

law. This principle allows a state to claim jurisdiction over certain crimes committed by any person,
regardless of where the crime occurred or the nationality of the perpetrator or victim.

The principle is based on the notion that some crimes are so universally abhorrent and destructive to
global order that any state should have the authority to prosecute these crimes in the interest of the
international community.so to the basis of the universality principle are all crimes that got
consequences all over or across various parts of the universe apart from the causative ones.most of
those crimes are those that are provided by jus cogens, that all states must to adhere regardless of
being a part or not for restoration of the world peace and order.

So the followings are crimes which amount to application of the universality principle of state
jurisdiction.

1. Piracy: Piracy refers to acts of robbery, violence, or other criminal acts committed at sea. It involves
attacks on ships or maritime structures, typically with the intention of stealing cargo or taking hostages
for ransom.piracy is considered a crime under customary international law and is subject to universal
jurisdiction. Article 105 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides for
the universal jurisdiction of states in relation to piracy on the high seas

2. Genocide: Genocide is the deliberate and systematic extermination, or attempted extermination, of

an entire ethnic, racial, religious, or national group. It involves acts such as mass killings, causing serious
bodily or mental harm, or imposing measures to prevent births within the targeted group.Genocide is
one of serious crimes under international law. The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the
Crime of Genocide, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, establishes universal
jurisdiction for the crime of genocide. Article 6 of the Convention allows any state to exercise jurisdiction
over the crime, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator or the location of the crime.

3. Crimes against humanity: Crimes against humanity are widespread or systematic acts committed as
part of a government policy or a large-scale attack against a civilian population. These acts include
murder, torture, rape, forced disappearance, persecution, and other inhumane acts that cause great
suffering or serious bodily or mental harm.one state my institute for crimes against humanity made by
another state. Various international and regional treaties, such as the Rome Statute of the ICC and the
Statute of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, provide for the exercise of
universal jurisdiction over crimes against humanity.
4. War crimes: War crimes are serious violations of international humanitarian law that occur during
armed conflicts, whether international or non-international in nature. They include acts such as
targeting civilians, torture, willful killing, using prohibited weapons, or causing excessive harm to non-
combatants. War crimes can be committed by both state and non-state actors.war crimes are against
some provisions of Geneva conventions also The rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC),
which entered into force in 2002, provides for the exercise of universal jurisdiction by the ICC over these
crimes. Additionally, many states have incorporated provisions for universal jurisdiction over war crimes
into their domestic legislation.

5. Torture: involves all actions of subjecting others to inhuman treatment.The Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1984, establishes universal jurisdiction for the crime of torture. Article 5 of
the Convention requires states to establish jurisdiction over torture when it is committed in any territory
under their jurisdiction, by any person, and to prosecute or extradite the alleged offenders.

TO SUM UP

It is important to note that all of the above offenses are considered grave violations of international law
particularly human rights, and individuals or states responsible for committing such acts can be held
accountable through national or international legal systems.The principle of universality, therefore, is a
powerful tool for ensuring that certain heinous crimes do not go unpunished, However, it is also a
principle that needs to be used with care and respect for the principles of sovereignty and non-
interference in the internal affairs of the other state when practising such a jurisdiction