The Position of Aliens in National Socialist Penal Law Reform

In: American journal of international law: AJIL, Volume 29, Issue 2, p. 206-218

Abstract

The draconic character of German National Socialist legislation on political crime has been brought forcibly to public attention by the recent activity of the People's Court (Volksgericht), which was established last year for the purpose of assuring a more effective repression of treason and espionage. The subject is one of international concern, since the court has jurisdiction over aliens for acts committed abroad as well as upon German territory, and applies a law which is almost unparalleled at the present time in its severity and comprehensiveness. The safeguards commonly deemed essential to the protection of the accused are absent from the proceedings of the Volksgericht, which are secret as to indictment, investigation and trial.