Critically examine the suggestion by an international inquiry that US police killings of people of African descent in the US amount to crimes against humanity and thus warrant an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Background:
Pilkington, E. (2021, April 26). US police killings of Black Americans amount to crimes against humanity, international inquiry finds. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/26/us-police-killings-black-americans-crimes-against-humanity
International Inquiry:
The International Commission of Inquiry on Systemic Racist Police Violence Against People of African Descent in the United States. (2021). Report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Systemic Racist Police Violence Against People of African Descent in the United States. https://inquirycommission.org/website/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Commission-Report-15-April.pdf [See point 19 on p.16 of the report].
Assessment criteria:
This essay must demonstrate an awareness of the development and operation of international courts and tribunals, the United Nations, and regional and national structures of international justice in response to crimes against international law.
Assessment guidance:
In completing this artefact, students must demonstrate an understanding of contemporary international criminal law, as enshrined in the Rome Statute, and the operation of the ICC. It is also crucial that students are aware of, and briefly highlight, the nature and characteristics of US police killings of individuals of African descent. Please note that the focus of this artefact, however, should not be on exploring racially motivated police killings in the US, but rather on determining whether these can, and indeed, must be investigated as crimes against humanity. In critically considering the feasibility of an ICC investigation into the aforementioned killings, please ensure that you consider the US’ international human rights obligations, jurisdictional issues in the application of the Rome Statute for the ICC, as well as broader investigative matters relating to the international tribunal.
