Criminal offenses related to armed conflict

Criminal law provides for severe penalties for offenses related to armed conflict, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. These crimes have a special nature and are regulated by both national and international law. Here is a detailed description of each of these crime categories:

Criminal offenses related to armed conflict include a wide range of crimes that may be committed during hostilities. Some of the most common criminal offenses in armed conflict include:

Killing: The unlawful taking of a person's life, which may result from assault, shelling, or other acts of war.

Torture: Unauthorized physical or psychological effects on a person for the purpose of obtaining information, punishment or other purposes.

Rape and sexual violence : It is not known whether women, children or men have been abused during armed conflicts.

Recruiting child soldiers : Enlisting minors for military service or participation in hostilities.

Humiliation of human dignity : Any actions aimed at gross violation of human rights and dignity during military conflicts.

These crimes are serious violations of international humanitarian law and may lead to accountability before international or domestic courts. It is important to confront these criminal acts in armed conflict, ensuring justice and security for all.

1. War crimes

War crimes are serious violations of the laws and customs of war defined by international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. They include:

• Cruel treatment of prisoners of war : Torture, inhumane treatment, murders.
• Attacks on civilians : Targeted attacks on civilians who are not participating in hostilities.
• Attacks on protected objects : Attacks on hospitals, schools, historical monuments.
• Use of prohibited methods and means of warfare : Use of chemical, biological weapons, prohibited ammunition.
• Looting and destruction of property : Illegal seizure and destruction of civilian property.

2. Crimes against humanity

Crimes against humanity are serious violations that are directed against the civilian population and are committed as part of a large-scale or systematic attack. These crimes include:

• Killings : Targeted and mass killings of civilians.
• Extermination : Destruction of large populations, including genocidal acts.
• Enslavement : Human trafficking, forced labor.
• Deportation or forced displacement : Illegal removal of people from their homes.
• Torture : The infliction of physical or psychological suffering.
• Rape and other forms of sexual violence : Mass rape, sexual slavery.
• Harassment : Discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, or other grounds.
• Disappearances : Forcible abductions and disappearances.

3. Genocide

Genocide is an act aimed at the destruction, in whole or in part, of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group as such. Genocide includes:

• Murders of members of the group .
• Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group .
• Deliberate creation of such living conditions, which are calculated for the complete or partial physical destruction of the group .
• Prevention of the birth of children in a group .
• Forced transfer of children from one group to another .

International and national mechanisms of justice

1. International Criminal Court (ICC) : An independent international court that investigates and prosecutes those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
2. Special international tribunals : For example, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
3. National Courts : Countries have jurisdiction to prosecute those guilty of these crimes in accordance with their national laws and international obligations.

Crimes related to armed conflicts are the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Effective prosecution of these crimes is key to ensuring justice and preventing future violations. The international community, national governments and civil society must work together to ensure accountability and restore justice for the victims of these crimes.