End of Immunity

At a time when lawless wars are testing humanity’s resolve and commitment to international law, this timely book reminds us of the importance of the discipline, and the pursuit of independent and impartial justice for atrocity crimes by holding perpetrators to account, irrespective of rank or status.–Fatou Bensouda, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
In this topical new book Chile Eboe-Osuji traces the history of accountability of heads of state and those in power since the era before WWI. The story of accountability against defaulting leaders amid claims of legal immunity is still very much a live, relevant issue today… The International Criminal Court’s jurisprudence on head of state immunity, in which Dr. Eboe-Osuji played a leading role, may hopefully put an end to the continuing assertion of immunity for state actors. This book should assist that hope.–Dr. Navi Pillay, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Judge Eboe-Osuji skillfully traces the historic legal developments that have made it possible to bring to justice those most often responsible for mass atrocities, the men of the highest rank and power, who as Justice Jackson said at Nuremberg make ‘deliberate and concerted use’ of that power to set the evils in motion.–Stephen Rapp, former United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crime Issues
Our febrile world seems to be in retreat from the visionary order based on shared principles that were created after World War II. Instead of being brought to justice, the powerful show utter contempt for the rule of law, the laws of war, and International Law and enjoy impunity, hiding behind claims of national sovereignty and state security. But here, a great man of law describes the vital need for legal accountability for those who commit egregious crimes. A fascinating and timely book.–Baroness Helena Kennedy, LT, KC, Member, House of Lords
This book could not come at a better time and could not have been written by a better author. Eboe-Osuji’s authority does not rest on his academic credentials alone but also on his experience as a judge at the International Criminal Court, and not just any judge but one of the most influential ones in shaping the ICC’s jurisprudence in the question of head of state immunity, among other areas.–Kai Ambos, Professor of Law at Georg August University, Gottingen, Germany; Judge Kosovo Specialist Chambers, The Hague, Netherlands

Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji is the former President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as a judge in both the trial and the appellate Divisions of the Court during a tenure that lasted nine years. Before his appointment to the ICC judiciary, Eboe-Osuji served as the senior legal advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. Since completing his term at the ICC, Eboe-Osuji has returned to Canada and is a Senior Fellow of the Carr Center at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, among holding many other fellowships. He has an extensive record of legal scholarship and publications and is the editor-in-chief of the Nigerian Yearbook of International Law. Eboe-Osuji is the 2022 recipient of the Goler T. Butcher Medal of the American Society of International Law for outstanding global contribution to human rights.

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