no on shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence under national or international law at the time when it was committed . nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed tgan the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
2006-11-14 12:23:02 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It means that Saddam Hussein didn't do anything illegal and should not be punished for it because everything he did was legal at the time he commited the acts.
2006-11-14 12:25:34 · answer #1 · answered by Hi 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No one can be held accountable for a crime if the act wasn't considered a crime at the time it was committed. It also says that only the penalty which was law at the time of the act can be levied against the person who committed the act, that no later law can increase the penalty or punishment.
2006-11-14 21:19:46 · answer #2 · answered by quietwalker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody can be charged with a crime if it wasn't outlawed at the time they committed it. Also, a harsher penalty cna't be dealt for a crime than what the penalty was when the crime was committed. I belive it's called an Ex Post Facto law( after the fact)
2006-11-14 20:29:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it says that you should be held accountable to the laws that were in effect at the time you are accused of doing something to be penalized for. they can not pass a law to punish you for something you did before the law was passed.
2006-11-14 20:28:10 · answer #4 · answered by roy40372 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you pick your nose today and tomorrow it is against the law and a fine of $25 you can not be charged for doing it yesterday
2006-11-14 20:25:43 · answer #5 · answered by G L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basically, if something you have done becomes illegal tomorrow, you cannot be charged with it.
2006-11-14 20:28:04 · answer #6 · answered by zillenium_00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋