For further information on France's laws and state practices please visit the following resources:

• ICRC Customary International Law database
• RULAC database
• ICC Legal Tools project

Relevant cases in France

For more information on universal jurisdiction in France, see this International Federation For Human Rights (FIDH) report, Status of the Implementation of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction in France.

Genocide

Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 211-1 (available in French or English)
Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 113-6 (available in French or English)
Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 213-5 (available in French or English)

Loi numéro 96-432 du 22 mai 1996/Law no.96-432 of 22 May 1996

Loi numéro 95-1 du 2 janvier 1995/Law no.95-1 of 2 January 1995

Crimes Against Humanity

Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 211-1 (available in French or English)
Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 113-6 (available in French or English)
Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 213-5 (available in French or English)

Loi numéro 96-432 du 22 mai 1996/Law no.96-432 of 22 May 1996

Loi numéro 95-1 du 2 janvier 1995/Law no.95-1 of 2 January 1995

War Crimes

Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 211-1 (available in French or English)
Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 113-6 (available in French or English)
Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 213-5 (available in French or English)

Loi numéro 96-432 du 22 mai 1996/Law no.96-432 of 22 May 1996

Loi numéro 95-1 du 2 janvier 1995/Law no.95-1 of 2 January 1995

Torture

Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 222-1 (available in French or English)
Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 113-6 (available in French or English)

Code de Procédure Pénale/Criminal Procedure Code Articles 689 to 689-2 (available in French or English, but the English version is not up-to-date)

Hostage-Taking

Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 224-4 (available in French or English)
Code Pénal/Penal Code Article 113-6 (available in French or English)

List of practitioners working in France

List of universal jurisdiction cases

Caveat: This description of the law does not purport to be complete. Before embarking on any investigation one should consult with local legal experts. This page was last reviewed on the 18 August 2010.