International Humanitarian Law
WHY IN NEWS ?
Recently The bombing of Hospital in Gaza has pushed countries around the world to label Israel’s recent aggressions as a “warcrime”, and a “violation of international humanitarian law”.
What is a War Crime?
- According to the United Nations, no single document in international law codifies all war crimes. Lists of what may count as a war crime can be found in various branches of
international law: humanitarian, criminal and customary law.
- According to the UN, a war crime occurs during armed conflict and is a breach of the Geneva Conventions and a violation of international humanitarian law also known as the “law of war”.
GENEVA CONVENTION
- International humanitarian law, particularly in times of war, is dictated primarily by the Geneva Conventions which Israel has ratified.
- Its four central conventions were formed by a series of treaties that took place between 1864 and 1949, with the first one being a shield for the sick and wounded in the armed forces.
- The Fourth Geneva Convention, established in 1949, was the first to call for the overall protection of people who do not take part in any hostilities – be it children, patients or healthy adult men
HAGUE CONVENTIONS
- The Hague Conventions address the conduct of warfare and allow for reciprocity toward an enemy party.
- The Hague Conventions adopted in 1899 and 1907 focus on the prohibition to warring parties to use certain means and methods of warfare.
ROME STATUTE
- The Rome Statute is a treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent tribunal established in 2002 to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression). The body is responsible for investigating and prosecuting Geneva Convention violations such as attacks on hospitals and historical monuments.
SOURCE – THE HINDU
