This chapter discusses the law of war crimes. It begins by introducing the basic principles of the law of armed conflict (LOAC): distinction and proportionality. It then distinguishes between international and non-international armed conflicts; outlines the contextual element and mental element required for war crimes; provides an overview of the prohibited acts that may form the conduct underlying a war crime; and examines select war crimes in more detail. The chapter concludes with a table comparing the range of offences applicable under the International Criminal Court (ICC) Statute to NIACs and IACs. It also provides a hypothetical scenario to which the law can be applied.
Chapter
8. War crimes
Book
Edited by Malcolm Evans
International Law is a collection of diverse writings from leading scholars in the field that brings together a broad range of perspectives on all the key issues in international law. Featuring chapters written by those actively involved in teaching and practice, this fifth edition explains the principles of international law, and exposes the debates and challenges that underlie it. The book contains seven parts. Part I provides the history and theory of international law. Part II looks at the structure of the international law obligation. Part III covers the subjects of the international legal order. Part IV looks at the scope of sovereignty. Part V looks at responsibility. Part VI considers how to respond to breaches in international obligations. Finally, Part VII looks at the various applications of international law and explains issues relating to the law of the sea, environmental law, investment law, criminal law, human rights law, migration law, and the law of armed conflict.
Book
Edited by Malcolm Evans
International Law is a collection of diverse writings from leading scholars in the field that brings together a broad range of perspectives on all the key issues in international law. Featuring chapters written by those actively involved in teaching and practice, this sixth edition explains the principles of international law, and exposes the debates and challenges that underlie it. The book contains seven parts. Part I provides the history and theory of international law. Part II looks at the structure of the international law obligation. Part III covers the subjects of the international legal order. Part IV looks at the scope of sovereignty. Part V looks at responsibility. Part VI considers how to respond to breaches in international obligations. Finally, Part VII looks at the various applications of international law and explains issues relating to the law of the sea, space law, environmental law, trade law, investment law, criminal law, human rights law, migration law, and the law of armed conflict.