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Book Review
- "Crimes Against Humanity" by Geoffrey Robertson.
(2000) (Penguin - 512 pages)
 Reviewer
- Rob Wood
Crimes Against Humanity,
by Geoffrey Robertson, is far from a light bed-time read. The famous
human rights lawyer attempts a discourse on the history, legality,
politics, and implications of human rights since the time of Hammurabi,
but focusing mainly on post WW2. In doing so he goes into facets
of the various treaties and covenants with a level and detail not
often seen in many attempts at similar topics. The emphasis is on
the slow progress towards the adoption of human rights standards
throughout the world and the progress yet to be made. Robertson
pulls no punches in his assessment of the various political intricacies
of the issue.
Beginning with a history
of human rights, Robertson sets the scene for his observations regarding
the topic over the last half-century. He includes everything from
the concept of Natural Rights, to the show trials of Joseph Stalin
in Russia. His history ends with the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights by the UN in 1948. From this starting point Robertson explains
many of the failures of the world in regard to human rights since
this hallmark in its history.
He then goes on to explain,
in relatively detailed legal terms, the various rights of the individual.
Often the gaining of these rights was contrasted to the manoeuvring
of various States on the issue. He gives this resonance through
a detailed survey of twenty-first century issues, thus giving it
resonance with the reader.
Robertson concedes that
the issue of human rights has come ahead in leaps and bounds in
the twentieth century, with movements towards holding war criminals
accountable for their actions. He later goes onto an account of
the creation of the International Criminal Court, again stressing
the part played by the expediency of politics over true justice.
This is used to highlight his claims of the work yet to be done
on the issue of human rights and global justice.
Again to prove his point,
Robertson goes on to a detailed analysis of the case of General
Augusto Pinochet, who is widely regarded as being responsible for
crimes against humanity in his native Chile. Despite the best efforts
of lawyers, and seemingly overwhelming evidence, the UK did not
bring Pinochet to trial after his brief internment. Robertson regards
this sovereign immunity as a barrier to the advancement of global
justice.
Despite the rhetoric
of Robertson bemoaning the current state of global justice, he takes
a positive (but tempered) view of the future. He believes we are
entering what he refers to as "The Age of Enforcement."
He cites East Timor as the first war undertaken for humanitarian
principles. With the example of East Timor, the advent of the ICC
and the slowly decreasing credence put in diplomatic or sovereign
immunity, it is tempting to agree with him.
Robertson's book is a
fantastic read for those interested in the inter-relationship of
human rights, politics and the law. His style of writing is scholarly
and detailed, yet relatively easy to understand. Crimes Against
Humanity deserves the highest of recommendations.
Reviewer: Rob Wood
Contact: robwood2000@yahoo.com
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