War crimes law refers to a legal framework that governs the prosecution and punishment of acts committed during times of armed conflict that violate the laws and customs of war. It encompasses the principles and rules established at both the international and domestic levels to hold individuals accountable for grave atrocities and violations of humanitarian norms committed during war.
At the international level, war crimes law is primarily governed by international humanitarian law (IHL), also known as the law of armed conflict. IHL establishes a set of rules and protections designed to safeguard civilians, prisoners of war, and other non-combatants from the devastating effects of war. War crimes, as defined by IHL, include acts such as deliberately targeting civilians or civilian objects, using prohibited weapons, torture, rape, and inhumane treatment.
The prosecution of war crimes is often carried out by international tribunals or ad hoc courts, established specifically to address such offenses. For instance, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) were created to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes committed within their respective jurisdictions.
Domestically, individual countries may establish their own war crimes laws to investigate and prosecute those accused of involvement in war crimes, irrespective of nationality. These laws typically incorporate international obligations and principles into the national legal framework.
Overall, war crimes law seeks to promote justice, deter future violations, and provide redress for victims of war crimes.
