The 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 "intentionally directing attacks against historic monuments and buildings dedicated to religion" 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.).