What is the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)?

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is an international court of law, located in The Hague, Netherlands. The court was established in 1993 by the United Nations in response to serious violations of international humanitarian law that had occurred during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. The ICTY’s purpose is to prosecute individuals accused of committing serious international war crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and violations of the laws or customs of war. The ICTY is a permanent court and can be viewed as a successor to the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg. The ICTY has jurisdiction over crimes committed during the situation in the former Yugoslavia since 1991. Cases before the tribunal are prosecuted by the Office of the Prosecutor, and the court hears cases concerning war criminals and crimes against humanity committed in the region. The ICTY has the authority to issue arrests warrants, to take testimony, and to provide witnesses with immunity from prosecution. It can also transfer cases to national courts, request extradition of criminal suspects, declare certain acts as crimes, and try all individuals accused of war crimes and other serious violations of humanitarian law. The ICTY also has the power to impose sentences, including life imprisonment and in certain cases, the death penalty. The court has authority to try individuals regardless of their nationality. The ICTY is a modern court that can issue rulings that must be respected and enforced by all states.

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What is the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)?

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