Uluslararası Ceza Hukukunda Evrensellik İlkesi ve Arjantin Mahkemelerinde Adalet Arayan Uygur Türkleri

Abstract

Cezai yargı yetkisi, esas itibarıyla ülkesel niteliklidir. Bununla birlikte devletler, farklı bağlama noktalarına dayanarak, ülke dışında işlenen suçlar üzerinde de yetki iddiasında bulunabilmekte veya “evrensellik ilkesi” çerçevesinde hareket ederek, ceza yasalarının uygulama alanını genişletebilmektedir. Evrensellik ilkesi gereğince; suç sayılan eylem, bir yabancı tarafından, yabancı bir ülkede işlenmiş ve doğrudan devletin ulusal çıkarlarına yönelmemiş olsa da cezai yargı yetkisinin kullanılması söz konusu olmaktadır. Bu durum; eylemin, uluslararası toplumun temel değerlerini ihlal ettiği, böylelikle bütününe yöneldiği varsayımından ve cezasız kalmaması gerektiğinin kabulünden kaynaklanmaktadır. İlkenin, uluslararası adalet ideali bakımından vazgeçilmez niteliği; uzun süredir Çin hükümetinin sistematik ayrımcılığının ve baskısının hedefi olduğu bilinen Uygur Türklerinin, Arjantin Mahkemelerinde süregelen adalet arayışında da kendisini göstermiştir. Nitekim 17 Ağustos 2022 tarihinde Çin yetkilileri hakkında suç duyurusunda bulunulmasıyla başlayan süreç; 18 Haziran 2025 tarihinde, Arjantin Federal Ceza Temyiz Mahkemesi’nin, ülkesinde evrensellik ilkesi çerçevesinde gerçekleşecek bir yargılamanın önünü açan “anıtsal” kararı ile bugünkü aşamaya gelmiştir. Böylelikle evrensellik ilkesi; eylemleri, pek çok devlet/uluslararası kuruluş tarafından “soykırım” ve “insanlığa karşı suç” olarak nitelendirilen Çin yetkililerinin yararlandığı cezasızlık ayrıcalığının sona erdirilmesi için tarihi bir fırsat yaratmıştır.

Keywords

• Cezai Yargı Yetkisi
• Evrensellik İlkesi
• Evrensel Yargı Yetkisi
• Uygur Türkleri
• Çin
• Arjantin.

The Principle of Universality in International Criminal Law and Uygur Turks Seeking Justice in Argentina Courts

Abstract

Criminal jurisdiction is primarily territorial. However, states may assert jurisdiction over crimes committed outside their territory based on different connecting factors or, acting within the framework of the “principle of universality,” may extend the scope of application of their criminal laws. According to this principle, even if the act constituting the crime was committed by a foreigner in a foreign country and did not directly target the national interests of the state, the criminal jurisdiction is still possible. This situation stems from the assumption that the act violates the fundamental values of the international community, thus targeting the community as a whole, and from the acceptance that it should not go unpunished. The indispensable nature of this principle in terms of the ideal of international justice has also been demonstrated in the ongoing quest for justice in the Argentine courts by the Uyghur Turks, who have long been known to be the target of systematic discrimination and oppression by the Chinese government. Indeed, the process that began with the filing of a criminal complaint against Chinese officials on August 17, 2022, has reached its current stage with the “landmark” decision of the Argentine Federal Criminal Appeals Court on June 18, 2025, which paved the way for a trial to be held in Argentina under the principle of universality. Thus, the principle has created a historic opportunity to end the impunity enjoyed by Chinese officials whose actions have been characterized as “genocide” and “crimes against humanity” by numerous states and international organizations.

Keywords

• Criminal Jurisdiction
• Principle of Universality
• Universal Jurisdiction
• Uyghur Turks
• China
• Argentina.

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