The Role of Ethical and Philosophical Theories in the Question of Duress in Murder in International Criminal Law

In their judgment of the Erdemović case in 1997, the majority of judges of the ICTY Appeals Chamber, have reached the conclusion that soldiers charged with participation in war crimes and crimes against humanity involving murder must not benefit from a complete defense of duress. Referring to the lack of a customary rule in international law about the recognition of duress in cases of murder as well as the unfavorable effects resulting from such a recognition. A deeper analysis reveals that the varying ethical and philosophical views of the majority and minority judges have had a decisive role in the recognition or rejection of the defense of duress in that case and the same varying moral and philosophical viewpoints may have an effect on the future judgments of the International Criminal Court in cases involving duress in murder.