 | ISBN: 978-1-58826-209-7 $57.00 | |
| ISBN: 978-1-62637-021-0 $57.00 | ||
| 2003/299 pages/LC: 2003046722 IISS Studies in International Security Related titles: War Crimes and Realpolitik: International Justice from World War I to the 21st Century by Jackson N. Maogoto and International Law in World Politics: An Introduction by Shirley V. Scott. | ||
Chuter confronts the real horror of the murder, rape, and torture that are subsumed under the dispassionate phrase "serious violations of international humanitarian law." But his discerning analysis also situates war crimes in their historical and cultural context—acknowledging the social and cultural mind-sets that allow them to happen—and discusses the political and policy issues surrounding them. Offering a nuanced typology of war crimes and a thoughtful discussion of the laws relating to them, War Crimes also grapples with such troubling questions as whether the outcomes of tribunals can come close to "the truth"—and whether they can help to prevent atrocities in the future.
"A penetrating and uncomfortable discussion of the relativism of truth in situations in which victim status is a strategic prize and evidence is treated in self-serving ways by governments, the media, nongovernmental organizations, and even academics."—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs
"David Chuter's extraordinary work offers a comprehensive and enlightening primer on bringing war criminals to justice. Exceedingly pragmatic and insightful, it should be required reading for all concerned with bringing the perpetrators of atrocity crimes to justice."—David Scheffer, Georgetown University Law Center and formerly Ambassador at Large for War Crimes issues