Erga omnes

Erga Omnes is a legal obligation toward all; ususally used in reference to human rights or environmental issues. The term falls within the International Law Principle of Universality, that is the idea that certain activities are so reprehensible that the rules of jurisdiction are waived so that any state may apprehend an alleged perpetrator and try them under their own jurisdiction. Such crimes might include: piracy, slave trade, operating a "stateless vessel", genocide, and war crimes. Hijacking and terrorism are not widely accepted as part of the erga omnes, however, jurisdiction of such acts has been conferred through other international treaties on the subject [The Hague Convention on Unlawful Seizure of Aricraft, 860 U.N.T.S. 105, 22 U.S.T. 1641, T.I.A.S. No. 7192, reprinted at 10 I.L.M. 133 (1971) entered into force , Oct. 14, 1971.] [International Convention Against Taking of Hostages, T.I.A.S. No. 11081, reprinted at 18 I.L.M. 1456 (1979) entered into force, June 3, 1983.] Consequently — any state has the right to complain of a breach of such universal jurisdiction.