Pinochet's arrest marks the beginning of what is called the “universal jurisdiction”. A principle according to which all States which have ratified the Geneva Conventions, or other conventions, have the obligation to prosecute the perpetrators of mass crimes. Many jurisdictions – European – can try at home the perpetrators of crimes committed abroad. Augusto Pinochet was arrested in London at the request of Spain, which wanted to try him. Several Israeli officials have already been the subject of arrest warrants issued by European judges: former minister Tzipi Livni, for example, under an arrest warrant in the United Kingdom, Ariel Sharon in Belgium, and other cases… It is therefore entirely possible that such prosecutions will be initiated (even if certain criteria are necessary. In France, the suspect must be present on French soil, for example). Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who was invited to Paris on November 13, finally gave up. It is possible that he gave up because the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) wanted to request an arrest warrant against him.
France
