NCJ Number
96770
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (1984) Pages: 123-146
Date Published
1984
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This fourth interim report of the International Law Association's Committee on International Terrorism reconsiders the desirability of the 'single convention' approach to controlling terrorism previously taken by the committee; a more modest approach is proposed, using principles widely accepted in the law of armed conflict to combat acts of international terrorism.
Abstract
Although not suggesting that the law of war itself should be extended to all acts of international terrorism, the committee recommends that any treaties, statutes, or court decisions be based on the premise that no person be permitted to escape trial or extradition on the grounds of political motivation when the acts committed would be subject to trial or extradition if performed as a soldier in an international armed conflict. The committee recognizes that nations often differ over the qualifications of individuals and groups resorting to violence for political ends. However, the committee argues that contemporary international law imposes legal limits on the actions of such individuals and groups no matter how they are described. Appendixes present a dissenting statement and a list of treaties and conventions relevant to international terrorism.