Work Packages
DOMAC's objectives will be obtained through several work packages, including:
WP 1: Management of the Project
To coordinate and manage the project from start to finish. To ensure the progress of the project and that the defined milestones are met on time.
Reykjavik University is the Project Coordinator. All other partners participate in WP1.
WP 2: The interaction between international criminal tribunals and domestic jurisdictions as a catalyst for the improvement of international criminal law;
To explore the influence of the case law of international criminal tribunals and courts on domestic prosecution and trial of (perpetrators of) international crimes and, reversely, to investigate the impact of national concepts and doctrines of criminal law on international criminal tribunals. A central hypothesis of the research is that both the principle of complementarity and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, setting limits to the procedural and substantive possibilities of states parties to prosecute and try international crimes, have a preliminary harmonizing effect on domestic legal practice in respect of international crimes. Apart from the legal evaluation, the research will focus on the social and criminological effects of adjudication of international crimes within local communities. In view of current research on rape as an international crime, the project will address gender issues as well.
University of Amsterdam is the leader of WP2. Hebrew University is a partner.
WP 3: Comparative examination of the number of prosecutions of perpetrators and sentencing policies in mass atrocity situations addressed by national and international courts;
To examine information that may establish any linkage between the operation of international criminal tribunals and the tendency of national courts to engage in criminal prosecutions in mass atrocity situations, to offer possible explanations for any positive or negative correlation that is identified, to try and identify and explain any cross-influence between the sentencing policies of national and international criminal courts engaged in comparable mass atrocity prosecutions.
Hebrew University is the leader of WP3. Reykjavik University is a partner.
WP 4: Identification and analysis of any formal or informal initiatives of international tribunals to contribute to capacity of domestic legal and judicial institutions for prosecutions in mass atrocity cases;
To identify and evaluate the impact of : (i) initiatives and activities of international or ‘hybrid' tribunals to foster domestic capacity for prosecutions in mass atrocity cases conforming to relevant human rights standards; and (ii) other intergovernmental initiatives to foster such capacity in the light of the establishment of international criminal tribunals.
University College London is the leader of WP4. Hebrew University is a partner.
WP 5: Case study analysis – focus on the interplay between national and international courts in selected cases (e.g., Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Indonesia, Sudan, Israel, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, United Kingdom, Germany, United States);
To examine in detail the interplay between national and international courts is specific mass atrocity situations (e.g., Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Indonesia, Sudan, Israel, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, United Kingdom, Germany, United States), to aim and understand the specific dynamics that may lead to competition or improved synchronization between national and international courts, to explore the practical and doctrinal problems associated with lack of coordination between national and international proceedings. Special attention would be given in this context to reactions to mass atrocity situations by national and international criminal courts based in Europe.
Hebrew University is the leader of WP5. University College London is a partner.
WP 6: The role of the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights in enforcement of international humanitarian law and protection of human rights in mass atrocity situations;
To assess the impact of judgments and advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice and judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, relating to international humanitarian law and gross violations of human rights, with a view of enhancing their role in enforcement of rule of law.
Reykjavik University is the leader of WP6. University of Amsterdam and University College London are partners.
WP 7: Comparative analysis of claims before domestic courts relating to international mass claims processes for reparations to victims of mass atrocities.
To examine mass claims settlements of reparation claims arising out of violations of international humanitarian law, international criminal law, or of gross human rights violations, with a view to enhancing our understanding of the type of procedures (domestic or international) that can provide effective relief to victims.
University of Amsterdam is the leader of WP7. Reykjavik University is a partner.