International Humanitarian Criminal Law

Module 1 — Foundations of Criminal Responsibility in Armed Conflict

Students examine how international criminal law applies to serious violations committed during armed conflict. The course distinguishes the rules governing armed conflict from the rules establishing individual criminal responsibility for violations.

Module 2 — Protected Persons and Objects

Students learn the importance of protected persons and objects under international humanitarian law, including civilians, wounded and sick persons, prisoners of war where applicable, medical personnel and humanitarian facilities.

Module 3 — War Crimes and Unlawful Conduct

Students are introduced to the concept of war crimes and the requirement to identify the applicable legal rule, the relevant conduct and the circumstances in which individual criminal responsibility may arise.

Module 4 — Modes of Individual Liability

Students examine basic concepts of individual criminal responsibility, including direct commission, ordering, aiding or assisting and other recognised forms of participation where the applicable law provides for them.

Module 5 — Command Responsibility and Military Superiors

Students examine the legal principles concerning responsibility of commanders or superiors for crimes committed by subordinates. The course stresses that liability depends on the specific legal requirements and evidence applicable to the case.

Module 6 — Investigation, Accountability and Evidence

Students learn why investigation of conflict-related crimes requires careful documentation, witness protection, forensic evidence, open-source material where properly authenticated and preservation of chain of custody. The course emphasises impartial assessment and lawful accountability.

Knowledge Test

1. What is the relationship between international humanitarian law and international criminal law?

Humanitarian law regulates conduct during armed conflict, while criminal law can establish individual responsibility for certain serious violations They are always completely unrelated Humanitarian law only applies to contracts Criminal law replaces all humanitarian rules

2. Which person may receive special protection under international humanitarian law?

A civilian who is protected under the applicable rules Only a government minister Only a commercial company No one

3. What must be established before asserting individual criminal responsibility for a war crime?

The applicable legal rule, relevant conduct and required circumstances and mental elements Only that a conflict occurred Only the nationality of the accused A newspaper headline

4. Does command responsibility automatically make every commander liable for every crime committed by a subordinate?

Yes No, the specific legal requirements and evidence must be established Only during peacetime Only when no investigation exists

5. Why is evidence preservation important when investigating conflict-related crimes?

Evidence may be vulnerable to loss, alteration or destruction and must be reliably documented It guarantees conviction It removes the need for witnesses It makes legal rules unnecessary