Abstract
This chapter looks at the way the content and temporal dimension of self-defence were viewed at the ‘Major War Criminals’ Trial’ in Nuremberg and at the Tribunal in Tokyo. First, the contentions of some of the Germans accused as to the reasons for invading Norway and the Prosecution’s counter-arguments are given attention. On that basis, the approach to self-defence and aggression taken by the Nuremberg judges is described. Further, the arguments of the Japanese accused regarding the Pacific War and the Netherlands’ declaration of war are looked at and the relevant findings of the Tokyo judgment presented. Finally, this chapter draws conclusions as to the significance of the two judgments for the content and temporal dimension of self-defence in the immediate aftermath of the adoption of the UN Charter.
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Notes
- 1.
Marrus 1997, pp. 18–19.
- 2.
Ibid., pp. 26–27, 32–33.
- 3.
For the records of the negotiations, see Jackson 1949.
- 4.
For discussions involving the concept of aggressive war, see Minutes of Conference Session of 19 July 1945. In Jackson 1949.
- 5.
Ibid., definition of ‘aggression’, suggested by the American delegation as the basis of discussion.
- 6.
Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression 1947, pp. 189–190.
- 7.
The other accused found guilty under Count II were: Wilhelm Keitel, Konstantin von Neurath, Erich Räder, Alfred Rosenberg, Karl Dönitz, Wilhelm Frick, Walter Funk and Arthur Seyss-Inquart. Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression 1947, pp. 189–190.
- 8.
Ibid., p. 17.
- 9.
Ibid.
- 10.
Ibid., p. 34.
- 11.
Exposé of UK Chief Prosecutor, 4 December 1945. In Trial of the Major War Criminals, vol. 3.
- 12.
Ibid.
- 13.
Ibid.
- 14.
Examination of Defence Witness Admiral Schulte-Mönting, 22 May 1946. In Trial of the Major War Criminals, vol. 14.
- 15.
Exposé of UK Chief Prosecutor, 4 December 1945. In Trial of the Major War Criminals, vol. 3.
- 16.
Ibid.
- 17.
Exposé of UK Junior Prosecution Counsel, 7 December 1945. In Trial of the Major War Criminals, vol. 3.
- 18.
Examination of defence witness Admiral Schulte-Mönting, 22 May 1946. In Trial of the major war criminals, vol. 14.
- 19.
Ibid.
- 20.
Ibid.
- 21.
Ibid.
- 22.
Ibid.
- 23.
Ibid.
- 24.
Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression 1947, p. 35.
- 25.
Ibid.
- 26.
Ibid., pp. 35–36.
- 27.
Ibid., p. 36 (Directive regarding the Weser Exercise, 1 March 1940).
- 28.
Ibid., p. 36.
- 29.
Ibid., p. 37.
- 30.
Ibid., pp. 37–38.
- 31.
Ibid., p. 37.
- 32.
Ibid.
- 33.
Ibid.
- 34.
Ibid., p. 38.
- 35.
The Potsdam Declaration (Proclamation Defining Terms for Japanese Surrender) was a statement jointly issued by the US, UK and China on 26 July 1945 in which an ultimatum was given to Japan
- 36.
Röling 1993, pp. 3–4.
- 37.
Appendix A, Sect. 10. In Trial of Japanese War Criminals 1946, p. 75.
- 38.
Burma, Malaya and part of Borneo belonged to Britain; the remaining islands of the East Indies belonged to the Netherlands, whereas Indo-China was a French possession and the Philippines was under US protectorate. Dupuy 1963, Vol. 9, p. 3.
- 39.
Appendix A, Sect. 10. In Trial of Japanese War Criminals 1946, pp. 75–76.
- 40.
Ibid.
- 41.
Ibid., pp. 75–76.
- 42.
Röling and Rüter 1977, pp. 380–381.
- 43.
Ibid., p. 381.
- 44.
Ibid.
- 45.
Ibid., pp. 328–329.
- 46.
Ibid., p. 328.
- 47.
Ibid., p. 339.
- 48.
Ibid., pp. 346–347.
- 49.
Ibid., pp. 364–366.
- 50.
Ibid., pp. 379–380.
- 51.
Ibid., p. 381.
- 52.
Ibid., pp. 381–384.
- 53.
Ibid., p. 382.
- 54.
Ibid.
- 55.
Ibid.
- 56.
Ibid., p. 36.
- 57.
See supra 4.6.
- 58.
Gill 2007, p. 134.
- 59.
- 60.
Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression 1947, p. 36 (emphasis added).
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Szabó, K.T. (2011). The Right of Self-Defence in the Judgments of the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals. In: Anticipatory Action in Self-Defence. T.M.C. Asser Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-6704-796-8_7
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