Crimes against humanity
Crimes against humanity
Crimes against humanity (/kraɪmz əˈɡenst hjuːˈmænɪti/) are certain acts that are purposefully committed as part of a widespread or systematic policy, directed against civilians, in times of war or peace. They differ from war crimes because they are not isolated incidents but are part of a government policy or a specific plan or policy.
Etymology
The term "crimes against humanity" is potentially derived from the phrase "crimes against the laws of humanity", which was used in the preamble of the Martens Clause, an international treaty adopted in 1899. The term was later defined and used in the Nuremberg Trials in 1945, where it was used to describe the systematic murder of millions during the Holocaust.
Definition
Crimes against humanity are defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Article 7. They include but are not limited to: Murder, Extermination, Enslavement, Deportation, Imprisonment, Torture, Rape, Persecution, and other inhumane acts.
Prosecution
Crimes against humanity are considered so grave in nature that they are considered a matter of international concern. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for these crimes. The ICC is an independent international organization, and it is not part of the United Nations system.
Related Terms
- Genocide: A term used to describe violence against members of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group with the intent to destroy the entire group.
- War Crimes: Serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in international armed conflict.
- Ethnic Cleansing: The systematic forced removal of ethnic, racial and/or religious groups from a specified area, with the intent of creating a region inhabited by people of a homogeneous or pure ethnicity, religion, or race.
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