In a March 3 New York Times commentary, Goldstone suggests that establishing a permanent international tribunal to continue the work of the two ad hoc courts will offer the "best hope for justice" in the next millennium.
Goldstone's article, a seemingly desperate entreaty to United Nations' Security Council, confirms the need for a World Court of Human Rights, one beholden to all world citizens rather than to national governments. Neither the International Court of Justice in the Hague nor ad hoc war crimes tribunals can decisively secure justice for victims of war crimes and human rights violations. This is because national governments, the principal victimizers and violators, impede any initiative that challenges their claimed sovereignty.
In the next issue of World Citizen News, my World Law Now column will focus on the substantive and procedural design of the World Jurist Association's proposed "Citizens' World Court." The column will compare this proposal with the World Court of Human Rights envisioned by the World Judicial Commission.