What was the legal basis for the Nuremberg trials?

The legal basis for the trial was established by the London Charter, which was agreed upon by the four so-called Great Powers on 8 August 1945, and which restricted the trial to “punishment of the major war criminals of the European Axis countries”.

How were the Nuremberg trials conducted?

The Nuremberg trials were conducted by an international tribunal made up of representatives from the United States, the Soviet Union, France and Great Britain. It was the first trial of its kind in history, and the defendants faced charges ranging from crimes against peace, to crimes of war, to crimes against humanity.

What is trial by torture?

Trial by ordeal was an ancient judicial practice by which the guilt or innocence of the accused was determined by subjecting them to a painful, or at least an unpleasant, usually dangerous experience. Trials by ordeal became rarer over the Late Middle Ages, but the practice was not discontinued until the 16th century.

Who was found guilty in the Nuremberg trials?

The Nuremberg trials

• Martin Bormann – Guilty, sentenced in absentia to death by hanging.
• Karl Dönitz – Guilty, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
• Hans Frank – Guilty, sentenced to death by hanging.
• Wilhelm Frick – Guilty, sentenced to death by hanging.
• Hans Fritzsche – Acquitted.

What does the term crimes against humanity mean?

Crimes against humanity refer to specific crimes committed in the context of a large-scale attack targeting civilians, regardless of their nationality. These crimes include murder, torture, sexual violence, enslavement, persecution, enforced disappearance, etc.

What countries use torture as punishment?

Since launching its Stop Torture campaign in May 2014, Amnesty International has issued reports on torture in Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, the Philippines and Uzbekistan. The reports show that torture is a frequent event in these countries, while the perpetrators of torture continue to enjoy impunity for their crimes.

How did torture begin?

The systematic use of torture in criminal procedures dates back to the earliest civilisations. Scenes depicting torture and corporal punishment can be found on ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian monuments. During the Roman Republic, only slaves and foreigners, as in Ancient Greece, could be subjected to torture.

How many Japanese were executed for war crimes?

In addition to the central Tokyo trial, various tribunals sitting outside Japan judged some 5,000 Japanese guilty of war crimes, of whom more than 900 were executed.

What is the difference between war crimes and crimes against humanity?

War crimes may only be committed during an armed conflict, whereas crimes against humanity can be committed both in times of war and of peace. A crime against humanity must be committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack upon a civilian population; there is no such requirement for a war crime.