THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA TO INTERNATIONAL LAW AND TO THE PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE TERRITORY OF FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

Abstract

The achievements of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia are worth focusing on, for their positive effects on the change in the understanding of global justice and on the improvement of international law, especially international humanitarian law, international criminal law and human rights aswell as peace and security in the territory of former Yugoslavia. However, the extent of this contribution in the long-term is assumed to be obscure if notambiguous. Therefore, the basic aim of the study is to examine the extent of the political and legal importance of this tribunal on international law and the territory of the former Yugoslavia, thus the Balkans and international society generally. Themost important contributions will be presented in the light of key cases held in theTribunal, Tribunal's Statute and various conventions with respect to this manner.As a result, inspite of the discussions on the legal basis and effectiveness oftheTribunal, the Tribunal's legal precedents can be said to have constituted a development in international politics and law, principles, norms and procedures;served the expansion of the ambit of substantive and procedural jurisprudence ofthe law of armed conflicts; contributed to the institutionalization of international criminal justice system and of human rights norms; played a crucial role in the creation of other international criminal courts and took part in the establishment of efficient and fair international trials which is of crucial importance to the peace inthe Balkans and the whole world for the future.