Murder, rape, torture… the chaos of wartime often leads to horrific violations of human rights. But these aren’t just any violations – when they involve killing or inflicting serious physical or mental suffering on civilians, they are war crimes – one of the most severe offences in international law. Unlike other crimes of international law, those found guilty of war crimes face no statute of limitations and can be prosecuted at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the crime was committed.
War crimes are violations of international humanitarian law – laws that establish what parties to an armed conflict can and cannot do, with the aim of minimizing the suffering of civilians in times of war. They are covered by a series of treaties including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, as well as international customary law.
The term “war crimes” covers a range of serious offences against humanity, including the recruitment of children to fight on the frontline, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and indiscriminate or disproportionate bombing. But it also includes genocide, the deliberate destruction of a national, ethnic or racial group. The word was coined by lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1943, who had been inspired by the Holocaust and campaigned to have it recognized as an international crime.
Investigating war crimes is a complex and challenging task. But it has become much easier over the years thanks to advances in technology, including improved cameras in mobile phones and digital tools that allow reporters to easily sift through graphic imagery on social media.