1. Reinforcing International Criminal Justice: Building on the work of the United Nations War Crimes Commission of 1943-1948 The Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy SOAS, University of London

2. Photo: A meeting of the UNWCC and a US Congressional Delegation - May 1945 Constructing the UNWCC: A Multilateral Effort The Declaration of St. James Palace – January 1942 The Moscow Declaration - October 1943 First Meeting of the UNWCC - 26 October 1943 Creation of the Far Eastern and Pacific Sub-Commission – June 1944 (Inaugural meeting - November 1944)

3. UNWCC by the Numbers 36,529 Accused Individuals 8,178 Cases Opened Over 2,000 Trials between fall of 1945 – March 1948

4. ★ Member States ✪ Considered Membership ✪ ✪ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Non-Member State, Submitted Cases ★ UNWCC Member States

5. National Representatives Egon Schwelb – Czechoslovakia Sir Robert Craigie - UK Wellington Koo - China Herbert Pell - USA M. de Baer - Belgium René Cassin – France

6. The United Nations War Crimes Commission London, UK The United Nations War Crimes Commission London, UK Far East Sub-Commission Chungking Far East Sub-Commission Chungking Committee I Facts and Evidence Committee I Facts and Evidence Committee II Enforcement Committee II Enforcement Committee III Legal Affairs Committee III Legal Affairs

7. Member State National Office Sends Case to UNWCC Office in London Committee I on Facts and Evidence Reviews the Case Committee I decides whether there is a prima facie case Member State Moves to Trial Based on UNWCC Approval of Case Member State National Offices Located Around Europe and the Far East Conduct Investigations and Develop War Crimes Charges

8. 1. Massacre of civilians. 2. Killing of hostages. 3. Torture of civilians. 4. Starvation of civilians. 5. Rape. 6. Abduction of girls and women for purposes of enforced prostitution. 7. Deportation of civilians. 8. Internment of civilians under brutal conditions. 9. Forced labour of civilians in connection with military operations of the enemy. 10. Usurpation of sovereignty under military occupation. 11. Compulsory enlistment among inhabitants of occupied territory. 12. Pillage. ……………………………And 18 more Existing Law: National Law The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 1919 List of War Crimes Adopted by UNWCC in 1944

9. Developing New Law Committee III – Legal Affairs Crimes of Aggression: – Debate on Kellogg-Briand’s lack of enforcement provision ‘Crimes Against Humanity’: Holding individuals responsible for actions against people from states with whom they were not at war. – March-December 1944 debate on German-German crimes Collective Responsibility: “To commit for trial, either jointly or individually all those who, as members of those criminal gangs, have taken part in any way in the carrying out of crimes committed collectively by groups, formations or units.” (Andres Gros – May 1945) – Adopted by Justice Jackson in the summer of 1945 for Nuremberg Genocide: Denationization

10. New Legal and Judicial Processes Attempt to create a permanent ICC Creation of joint military tribunals Creation of an investigation unit and records unit (CROWCASS) Support to member states tribunals Creation of a multilateral system of international criminal justice

11. The Legacy of the UNWCC: A New Paradigm of International Criminal Law Successful multilateral international justice initiative Focus on mid-level war criminals Influence on Nuremberg Roles of India and China Involvement of women on the Commission Lessons for contemporary legal practice