A war crime is a serious violation of the laws and customs applicable in armed conflict, defined under international humanitarian law and the law of war, that gives rise to individual criminal responsibility under international law. Recognized examples include intentionally killing civilians, torture, taking hostages, unnecessarily destroying civilian property, wartime sexual violence, pillaging, denying quarter to a surrendering enemy, and conscripting children into the military. Responsibility rests on combatants observing the principles of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity.
Facts
Classification CodeSourced to the subject's own accountWar crimes are classified under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, grouped as grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 1 Elements of OffenseSourced to the subject's own accountOne recognized grave breach is willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to the body or health of a protected person 1 Notable ExampleSourced to the subject's own accountOn 24 March 2016 the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia found Radovan Karadzic guilty of genocide in Srebrenica, war crimes, and crimes against humanity on ten of eleven charges, and sentenced him to forty years imprisonment 1 Jurisdiction VariationSourced to the subject's own accountThe International Criminal Court can exercise jurisdiction under Article 12 of the Rome Statute over the citizens of non-member states if they are accused of committing crimes on the territory of a state party, alongside prosecution by national courts 1 Classification
Offense GradeSourced to the subject's own accountSerious or Indictable Offense 1 Sources
1. Wikipedia: War Crime
Definition section, International Humanitarian Law
War crimes are sometimes part of instances of mass murder and genocide, though these crimes are more broadly covered under international humanitarian law described as crimes against humanity.
Rome Statute Article 8 section
Grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, namely, any of the following acts against persons or property protected
Rome Statute Article 8 section, grave breaches list
Willfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia section
On March 24, 2016, he was found guilty of genocide in Srebrenica, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, 10 of the 11 charges in total, and sentenced to 40 years' imprisonment.
International Criminal Court section
Article 12 of the Rome Statute provides jurisdiction over the citizens of non-contracting states if they are accused of committing crimes in the territory of one of the state parties.
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