Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi. Cultural heritage and Human rights

Essay from the year 2017 in the subject Law - Miscellaneous, grade: 1, University of New South Wales, Sydney, course: Understanding Human Rights, language: English, abstract: In the decision of the ICC in September of 2016, Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi was found guilty of the war crime of "e;intentionally directing attacks against historic monuments and buildings dedicated to religion"e; in Timbuktu, Mali in June and July of 2012 and sentenced to nine years. It was the first time a perpetrator was sentenced for the destruction of heritage dedicated to religion as the main charge. I will have an in-depth look at the case and the judgement of the ICC (II.), then provide brief background information on the role of cultural heritage in human rights through a sample of resolutions, conventions, statutes, and decisions (III.), to ultimately comment on the Al Mahdi decision (IV.).