d. Universality Principle

What is the Universality Principle?

Recognizes that certain offenses are so heinous and so widely condemned that any State, if it captures the offender, may prosecute and punish that person on behalf of the international community, regardless of the nationality of the offender or victim or where the crime was committed. (Bernas, citing Bassiouini).

Recognizes that certain activities, universally dangerous to states and their subjects, require authority in all community members to punish such acts wherever they may occur, even absent a link between the state and the parties or the acts in question. (Bernas, Public International Law, 2009)