The International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Elements of Crimes) Regulations 2001

Elements of crimes

General Introduction

1.  Pursuant to article 9, the following Elements of Crimes shall assist the Court in the interpretation and application of articles 6, 7 and 8, consistent with the Statute. The provisions of the Statute, including article 21 and the general principles set out in Part 3, are applicable to the Elements of Crimes.

2.  As stated in article 30, unless otherwise provided, a person shall be criminally responsible and liable for punishment for a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court only if the material elements are committed with intent and knowledge. Where no reference is made in the Elements of Crimes to a mental element for any particular conduct, consequence or circumstance listed, it is understood that the relevant mental element, i.e., intent, knowledge or both, set out in article 30 applies. Exceptions to the article 30 standard, based on the Statute, including applicable law under its relevant provisions, are indicated below.

3.  Existence of intent and knowledge can be inferred from relevant facts and circumstances.

4.  With respect to mental elements associated with elements involving value judgement, such as those using the terms “inhumane” or “severe”, it is not necessary that the perpetrator personally completed a particular value judgement, unless otherwise indicated.

5.  Grounds for excluding criminal responsibility or the absence thereof are generally not specified in the elements of crimes listed under each crime(1).

6.  The requirement of “unlawfulness” found in the Statute or in other parts of international law, in particular international humanitarian law, is generally not specified in the elements of crimes.

7.  The elements of crimes are generally structured in accordance with the following principles:

• As the elements of crimes focus on the conduct, consequences and circumstances associated with each crime, they are generally listed in that order;

• When required, a particular mental element is listed after the affected conduct, consequence or circumstance;

• Contextual circumstances are listed last.

8.  As used in the Elements of Crimes, the term “perpetrator” is neutral as to guilt or innocence. The elements, including the appropriate mental elements apply, mutatis mutandis, to all those whose criminal responsibility may fall under articles 25 and 28 of the Statute.

9.  A particular conduct may constitute one or more crimes.

10.  The use of short titles for the crimes has no legal effect.

(1)

This paragraph is without prejudice to the obligation of the Prosecutor under article 54, paragraph 1, of the Statute.