Manifestly unlawful order

New Zealand

International Crimes and International Criminal Court Act 2000

PART 2 - INTERNATIONAL CRIMES AND OFFENCES AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

General principles of criminal law

12.
General principles of criminal law—

(1)For the purposes of proceedings for an offence against section 9 or section 10 or section 11,—

(a)the following provisions of the Statute apply, with any necessary modifications:

(xi)article 33 (which relates to superior orders and prescription of law);

Rome Statute

Article 33 Superior orders and prescription of law

1. The fact that a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court has been committed by a person pursuant to an order of a Government or of a superior, whether military or civilian, shall not relieve that person of criminal responsibility unless:

(c) The order was not manifestly unlawful.

2. For the purposes of this article, orders to commit genocide or crimes against humanity are manifestly unlawful.