universal jurisdiction

universal jurisdiction (uncountable)

1. (international law) A principle whereby a state claims legal jurisdiction over persons whose alleged crimes were committed outside the boundaries of the prosecuting state, regardless of the accused's nationality, country of residence, or other relationship with the prosecuting country.
   • "Amnesty International’s legal memorandum, Universal Jurisdiction: the duty of states to enact and implement legislation, documents more than 125 states that have universal jurisdiction over at least one of the crimes. The organization is campaigning for all states to enact universal jurisdiction legislation over all six crimes."

• The scope and application of universal jurisdiction: UK statement
• Kissinger, Henry, The Pitfalls of Universal Jurisdiction: Risking Judicial Tyranny -, Foreign Affairs, July/August 2001.