"Give them a fair trial and hang-'em"!
Although the pact of Paris- Kellogg Brian's Pact of 1928 condemns war as an instrument of national policy. But it does not consider war as a crime. After all not everything is fair in war and it should not be. Remember Kurukshetra!!!
It took two and a half years, 800 court sessions and 12 renowned justices from all across the world including China, Philippines and even India to decide the fate of some 35 high-ranking Japanese military and political leaders and officials who were indicted on 50+ counts of various categories of war crimes viz Crime Against Peace (Class A) , Conventional War Crimes (Class B) and Crime Against Humanity (Class C). The tribunal was established by the supreme commander of the Allied powers, General Douglas MacArthur. Rape of Nanking, Pearl Harbor , Imperialism all but the A-bomb were part of the deliberations of the tribune that consisted majority of white justices whose ultimate goal was to model Nuremberg charter annexed to prosecute and punish the axis powers for its atrocities.
All but the Indian justice found the defendants guilty of war crimes although they did differ on categorizing the crimes and hence on the penalties.
Indian justice Radhavinod Pal who was the last addition to the tribune dissented as he believed that conqueror should not pass judgement on conquered and that it was not aggression of war and the actions were carried out in the absence of some of the laws. He also argued that if Japanese were to be indicted on the basis of aggression then US as well must be on the same basis for the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and so should British for forcing Indians to fight in WWII and looting india. Well! From legality standpoint, his arguments were not unfounded and should have been included. But the majority of the verdict is often presented as unanimous and the dissent is never disclosed. His 1200+ pages dissent with a verdict to acquit all was banned by the tribunal!!!
The question we should ask ourselves is that have we been able to uphold this and Nuremberg? What happened to the real architects of the war? In 2002 ICC (International Criminal Court) was established and till today US, Russia and China are not part of it! Ironically, the same countries who influenced the verdict of Tokyo trial!!!! These three superpowers do not recognize ICC's jurisdiction, authority and even legitimacy!!!! Interesting to see how Russia would be indicted for its 'illegal' war, the current war of aggression on Ukraine in international court!!!!!!
Interesting plot, slow but measured pace and convincing performances.. Irfan Khan who plays Justice Pal somewhat succeeds to bring out the nonchalant personality of the character. It is however, a MUST see as it unfolds a little less known but important chapter of history.
Although the pact of Paris- Kellogg Brian's Pact of 1928 condemns war as an instrument of national policy. But it does not consider war as a crime. After all not everything is fair in war and it should not be. Remember Kurukshetra!!!
It took two and a half years, 800 court sessions and 12 renowned justices from all across the world including China, Philippines and even India to decide the fate of some 35 high-ranking Japanese military and political leaders and officials who were indicted on 50+ counts of various categories of war crimes viz Crime Against Peace (Class A) , Conventional War Crimes (Class B) and Crime Against Humanity (Class C). The tribunal was established by the supreme commander of the Allied powers, General Douglas MacArthur. Rape of Nanking, Pearl Harbor , Imperialism all but the A-bomb were part of the deliberations of the tribune that consisted majority of white justices whose ultimate goal was to model Nuremberg charter annexed to prosecute and punish the axis powers for its atrocities.
All but the Indian justice found the defendants guilty of war crimes although they did differ on categorizing the crimes and hence on the penalties.
Indian justice Radhavinod Pal who was the last addition to the tribune dissented as he believed that conqueror should not pass judgement on conquered and that it was not aggression of war and the actions were carried out in the absence of some of the laws. He also argued that if Japanese were to be indicted on the basis of aggression then US as well must be on the same basis for the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and so should British for forcing Indians to fight in WWII and looting india. Well! From legality standpoint, his arguments were not unfounded and should have been included. But the majority of the verdict is often presented as unanimous and the dissent is never disclosed. His 1200+ pages dissent with a verdict to acquit all was banned by the tribunal!!!
The question we should ask ourselves is that have we been able to uphold this and Nuremberg? What happened to the real architects of the war? In 2002 ICC (International Criminal Court) was established and till today US, Russia and China are not part of it! Ironically, the same countries who influenced the verdict of Tokyo trial!!!! These three superpowers do not recognize ICC's jurisdiction, authority and even legitimacy!!!! Interesting to see how Russia would be indicted for its 'illegal' war, the current war of aggression on Ukraine in international court!!!!!!
Interesting plot, slow but measured pace and convincing performances.. Irfan Khan who plays Justice Pal somewhat succeeds to bring out the nonchalant personality of the character. It is however, a MUST see as it unfolds a little less known but important chapter of history.