Sources, Procedures, and Connotation (Theoretical System) of International Criminal Law

Author: (USA) M. Cherif Bassiouni, translated by Wang Xiumei
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The author of the book "The Sources and Substance of International Criminal Law: A Theoretical System," M. Cherif Bassiouni, is a renowned international criminal law scholar, professor of law at DePaul University, director of the Institute for International Human Rights at DePaul University, and president of the International Society of Criminal Law. Professor Bassiouni has long been a leading figure in the field of international criminal law, engaging in research, teaching, and writing on the theory and practice of international criminal law. He is highly respected in academia and has a profound influence. His representative works include "Crimes Against Humanity in International Criminal Law," "International Extradition: U.S. Law and Practice," "The Legal System of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia," "Draft International Criminal Code and Statute of the International Criminal Tribunal," "Abstract and Index of International Crimes," "Human Rights in Criminal Proceedings," "International Criminal Treaties and Their Punitive Provisions," "Historical Draft of the Statute for the Punishment of Crimes Against Peace and Security," "Slavery," "Kidnapping and Hostage-Taking," "Protection of Cultural Property," "Draft Statute of the International Criminal Tribunal," "Inter-State Criminal Cooperation Policy," "Exception for Political Offenders," and "International Criminal Law—Draft Statute for the International Criminal Court."
The book "The Sources and Substance of International Criminal Law: A Theoretical System" is divided into nine parts, systematically discussing the formation and development of international criminal law, the framework of its theoretical system, and practical issues and research insights. The content covers the nature of international criminal law, its sources, and its relationship with national criminal law; international subjects of criminal responsibility, including individuals, groups or organizations, non-state actors, and the international criminal responsibility of states; the sources of substantive international criminal law, including the principle of legality, the territorial principle of international criminal law, mandatory norms, the punitive nature of treaty-based international criminal law, the provisions and nature of international crimes contained in treaty-based international criminal law, the historical evolution of twenty-five international crimes, and the necessity of distinguishing the boundaries of international crimes; general principles of international criminal law; the penal provisions of international criminal law; the procedures for establishing international criminal law and the procedures of international criminal tribunals; and the enforcement system of international criminal law.
In May 1999, Professor Bassiouni was invited to Beijing by the Chinese Law Society and the Chinese Branch of the International Society of Criminal Law for a visit and academic exchange. The translator had the opportunity to seek advice from Professor Bassiouni, discuss issues related to international criminal law, and listen to his insightful academic lectures. The translator has long been committed to teaching and researching international criminal law and has often felt the scarcity of domestic resources on the subject, particularly the lack of translated works. Therefore, there was an urgent need to translate and publish relevant foreign monographs. The translator discussed this matter with Professor Bassiouni, who generously agreed and entrusted the translation and publication of his major work, "The Sources and Substance of International Criminal Law: A Theoretical System." The following year, the translator completed the translation, but due to various reasons, it was delayed until now before being published.
At the time of this book's publication, sincere gratitude is extended to the original author, Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni, as well as to Professor Gao Mingxuan and Professor Zhu Wenqi of the Law School of Renmin University of China for their selfless assistance, and to Mr. Jiang Hao and Ms. Wang Xiaojuan of Legal Press for their strong support in publishing. Special thanks are also given to my husband, Dr. Du Peng, for his review and proofreading in his spare time.