war crimes and the Geneva conventions. Chapter7 war crimes and the Geneva conventions.

Cont… International humanitarian law sets out detailed rules aimed at protecting the victims of armed conflict and restricting the means and methods of warfare. it also establishes mechanisms to ensure that these rules are respected. in particular, humanitarian law holds individuals responsible for violations of humanitarian law which they commit, or order others to commit it.

Cont… it requires that those responsible for serious violations should be prosecuted and punished as criminals. the most serious violations of humanitarian law are termed war crimes.

Cont… many of the rules relating to international armed conflict are set out in the four Geneva conventions of 1949 and first additional protocol of 1977 . states are obliged to suppress all violation of these instruments. there are however specific obligations relating to certain serious violations called grave breaches.

CONT… Grave breaches represent some of the most serious violations of international humanitarian law. they are specific acts listed in the Geneva conventions and protocol I. include willful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, and willfully causing great injury. A full list of grave breaches is set out in the attached tables.

Grave Breaches must be punished the convention and protocol make clear that grave breaches must be punished. instead they expressly require states to enact criminal legislation to punish those responsible for grave breaches. states are also required to search for persons accused of grave breaches. and either to bring them before their own courts or to hand them over for trial in another state.

Cont… International humanitarian law requires state to take the following specific action in relation to grave breaches : FIRST: a state must enact national legislation prohibiting and punishing grave breaches . Second: a state must search for and prosecute those alleged to be responsible for grave breaches. Third: a state must require its military commanders to prevent suppress ,and take action against those under their control who commit grave breaches. Fourth: states should assist each other in connection with criminal proceedings relating to grave breaches.

NECESSITY OF SUPPRESSION OF ALL VIOLATION OF HUMANITARIAN LAW States must ensure compliance with all provisions of humanitarian law including those applicable to non-international armed conflict and those regulating the use of weapons . states must take whatever measures necessary to prevent and suppress all violations .