Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity - (Studies in International and Comparative Criminal Law) by Caroline Fournet (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book explores the ambiguities of the French law of genocide by exposing the inexplicable dichotomy between a progressive theory and a disinclined practice. Observing that the crime of genocide has remained absent from French courtrooms to the benefit of crimes against humanity, this research dissects the reasons for this absence.

Book Synopsis

This book explores the ambiguities of the French law of genocide by exposing the inexplicable dichotomy between a progressive theory and an overly conservative practice. Based on the observation that the crime of genocide has remained absent from French courtrooms to the benefit of crimes against humanity, this research dissects the reasons for this absence, reviewing and analysing the potential legal obstacles to the judicial use of the law of genocide before contemplating the definitional impact of this judicial reluctance and the consequent confusion between the two crimes. Whilst it uses the French law of genocide and related case law on crimes against humanity as its focal points, the book further adopts a more general standpoint, suggesting that the French misunderstandings of the crime of genocide might ultimately be symptomatic of a more widespread misconception of the crime of genocide as a crime perpetrated against 'a group'.

Review Quotes

"It is a work which will be of central interest to those working in the specialised field of international criminal law but it undoubtedly has value for those working in the fields of transitional justice and legal systems and methods and is a thoughtful contribution to the academy." --Thérèse O'Donnell, Law and Politics Book Review, Volume 23, Number 12

About the Author

Caroline Fournet is Associate Professor and Rosalind Franklin Fellow at the Department of Criminal Law and Criminology at the University of Groningen .