Gravity of crimes

Notion(s) Filing Case
Appeal Judgement - 28.11.2007 NAHIMANA et al. (Media case)
(ICTR-99-52-A)

1060. […] Furthermore, although there is no pre-established hierarchy between crimes within the jurisdiction of the Tribunal,[1] and international criminal law does not formally identify categories of offences, it is obvious that, in concrete terms, some criminal behaviours are more serious than others. As recalled above, the effective gravity of the offences committed is the deciding factor in the determination of the sentence:[2] the principle of gradation or hierarchy in sentencing requires that the longest sentences be reserved for the most serious offences.[3] […]

[1] Stakić Appeal Judgement, para. 375.

[2] See supra XVII. A.

[3] As recognized by the Trial Chamber; see Judgement, para. 1097.

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