Crimes Against The People – A Sui Generis Socialist International Crime?

Abstract

Crimes against humanity is one of the core crimes in international criminal law, whose existence is treated as a natural reaction to mass atrocities. This idea of linear progress is challenged by this article, which demonstrates that in Post-Second World War Hungary an alternative approach was developed to prosecute human rights violation committed against civilian populations. Even though this concept was eventually used as a political weapon by the communist party, it had long-lasting effects on the prosecution of international crimes in Hungary.

Keywords: international criminal law, crimes against humanity, international crimes, Hungary, socialist criminal law

JEL Classification: K14, K33