2. Recognizing Individual Guilt in Mass Atrocities: The trials focused on the responsibility of specific individuals within the Nazi regime, rather than treating atrocities as a collective guilt of the German people. It acknowledged that individuals can make choices that contribute to mass crimes and that they must be held accountable.
3. Advancing International Law on Human Rights: The trials helped to develop the concept of universal jurisdiction for serious international crimes, laying the foundation for the modern international human rights framework. It contributed to the idea that certain acts, such as genocide and crimes against humanity, should be recognized as crimes under international law.
4. Symbol of Justice and Accountability: The Nuremberg Trials marked a significant step in international justice, signaling the world's commitment to addressing human rights abuses and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. By ensuring that those responsible for heinous crimes were brought to justice, the trials provided a measure of closure for victims and survivors of the Nazi regime.
5. Contribution to Transitional Justice: The trials contributed to the development of transitional justice mechanisms, which seek to address the legacy of past human rights violations through a combination of judicial processes, truth-seeking, reparations, and institutional reforms. The Nuremberg Trials provided a model for future tribunals and mechanisms aimed at dealing with mass atrocities and the legacy of past regimes.
6. Impact on International Criminal Law: The trials played a crucial role in the development of international criminal law and have influenced subsequent international tribunals, such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). The principles established at Nuremberg paved the way for the development of international criminal justice mechanisms.