Document Type
Honors Project
Abstract
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide is a vital tool for addressing genocide. As mechanisms of global governance fail to stop atrocity, the International Court of Justice has become a legal and political arena for the enforcement of the Genocide Convention. This study asks the question of how the use of the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice changed over time? In the four cases that come before the Court, this paper identifies four key developments: a shift toward viewing genocide as a continuum; South Africa v. Israel strengthened the Court’s jurisdiction; increased use and evolving significance of provisional measures; and greater third-party engagement through Articles 62 and 63 of the Statute of the Court. While the Convention and ICJ can be powerful mechanisms of change for shaping how genocide is understood, they often fall short of ensuring accountability.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Olivia, "Genocide Under the Gavel: The International Court of Justice and the Evolution of the Genocide Convention" (2025). Political Science Honors Projects. 112.
https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/poli_honors/112
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