Die Kleinen hangt man, die Grossen lasst man laufen

In: Sicherheit und Frieden: S + F = Security and Peace, Band 25, Heft 2, S. 65-70

Abstract

The authors describe one of the challenges of international law enforcement: the immunity of governmental officials to prosecution. They point to the privileged government elites & discuss the limitations & impacts of the immunity of bestowed upon high-ranking officials. Examining the relationship between the immunity & the prosecution of political elites, the authors, present the instruments of national, semi-international & international courts & the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in particular. They conclude that the immunity of governmental officials is necessary in order to ensure the capacity of the government to carry out its duties. However, immunity should only last as long as the person holds office. Adapted from the source document.