The dictatorial regime of President A of the Republic of Gordon was toppled by a combined force led by Gen.

Abe, former royal guards and the secessionist Gordon People s Army. The new government constituted a Truth and Reconciliation Commissi on to look into the serious crimes committed under President A s regime. After the hearings, the Commission recommended that an amnesty law be passed to cover eve n those involved in mass killings of members of indigenous groups who opposed Pr esident A. International human rights groups argued that the proposed amnesty la w is contrary to international law. Decide with reasons. (4%) Suggested Answer: The proposed amnesty law is contrary to international law. The indigenous group may constitute an ethnic group which is protected by the la w on Genocide. If the mass killing was committed with the intent to destroy (dol us specialis) the said ethnic group as such, in whole or in part, then the crime of Genocide was committed. The international norm for the prevention, prosecuti on and punishment of Genocide is a peremptory (just cogens) norm of internationa l law and, therefore, non-derogable. (Prosecutor v. Blagojevic and Jokic, ICTY, January 17, 2005)