LONDON AGREEMENT OF 8 AUGUST 1945
Agreement by the Government of the
United States of America, the Provisional Government of the French
Republic, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics for the Prosecution and Punishment of the Major War
Criminals of the European Axis.
WHEREAS the United Nations have from time to time
made declarations of their intention that war criminals shall be
brought to justice;
AND WHEREAS the Moscow Declaration of 30 October 1943 on German
atrocities in Occupied Europe stated that those German officers and
men and members of the Nazi Party who have been responsible for or
have taken a consenting part in atrocities and crimes will be sent
back to the countries in which their abominable deeds were done in
order that they may be judged and punished according to the laws of
these liberated countries and of the free Governments that will be
created therein;
AND WHEREAS this Declaration was stated to be without prejudice
to the case of major criminals whose offenses have no particular
geographic location and who will be punished by the joint decision of
the Governments of the Allies;
NOW THEREFORE the Government of the United States of America, the
Provisional Government of the French Republic, the Government of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the
Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (hereinafter
called "the Signatories") acting in the interests of all
the United Nations and by their representatives duly authorized
thereto have concluded this Agreement.
Article 1. There shall be established
after consultation with the Control Council for Germany an
International Military Tribunal for the trial of war criminals whose
offenses have no particular geographical location whether they be
accused individually or in their capacity as members of organizations
or groups or in both capacities.
Article 2. The constitution, jurisdiction, and functions
of the International Military Tribunal shall be those set out in the
Charter annexed to this Agreement, which Charter shall form an
integral part of this Agreement.
Article 3. Each of the Signatories shall take the
necessary steps to make available for the investigation of the
charges and trial the major war criminals detained by them who are to
be tried by the