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Simple English definitions for legal terms
War crime
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A quick definition of War crime:
A war crime is when someone breaks the rules of war. These rules are written down in special agreements called the Geneva Conventions. War crimes can include things like hurting people who are not fighting, destroying things that don't need to be destroyed, and doing bad things to people like torture or rape. People who commit war crimes can be punished by a special court called the International Criminal Court. To be punished, the person has to know that they were doing something wrong and that there was a war going on.
A more thorough explanation:
A war crime is a violation of the laws of war. This means that during a war, certain actions are considered illegal and punishable by law. The laws of war have been established in several treaties, such as the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Examples of war crimes include:
- Intentional killing of civilians or prisoners of war
- Torture or inhumane treatment of prisoners of war
- Forced displacement or transfer of civilians
- Sexual violence or slavery
- Use of chemical or biological weapons
These actions are considered war crimes because they violate the basic principles of humanity and the rules of war. They cause unnecessary suffering and harm to innocent people who are not directly involved in the conflict.
War crimes are prosecuted by international courts, such as the International Criminal Court, and can result in severe punishments, including imprisonment or even the death penalty.