NCJ Number
104736
Journal
Boston College International and Comparative Law Review Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1986) Pages: 323-359
Date Published
1986
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This comment examines the ability of the United States to apprehend and punish terrorists under current international and national legislation.
Abstract
For the purpose of this discussion, international terrorism is defined as intentional acts of violence committed for the purpose of coercing or intimidating policymakers to effect a policy change. The international community has responded to international terrorism through the Tokyo Convention on Offenses and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft; the Hague Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft; the Montreal Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation; and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons, Including Diplomatic Agents. The International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages has also been an international response against terrorism. Problems in the enforcement and application of these conventions are the noncompliance of nonsignatory states as well as state parties, prosecution, sentencing, and political asylum. The United Kingdom has adopted terrorism legislation, with a focus on terrorism in Northern Ireland. U.S. legislative responses to terrorism include the Aircraft Sabotage Act, the Act for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Hostagetaking, and the Act for Rewards for Information Concerning Terrorist Acts. Legislative gaps include limitations of the prosecute or extradite principle, the political offense exception, and mechanisms for terrorism's victims to seek redress and compensation. 284 footnotes.