International criminal law concerns individual responsibility for crimes considered among the most serious under international law. It addresses crimes that affect the international community as a whole and establishes mechanisms for accountability.
PUBLIC LEGAL REFERENCE
International Crimes and Individual Responsibility
← Back to International Law LibrarySUBSTANTIVE TEACHING
Study Chapter
Open each section when you are ready to study it. Your legal text is preserved in full; the expandable layout simply makes the material easier to navigate.
Genocide involves certain acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. The crime includes both the prohibited acts and the specific intent required by law.
Crimes against humanity involve widespread or systematic attacks directed against a civilian population. They may include acts such as murder, torture, persecution, enforced disappearance and other serious violations.
War crimes are serious violations of international humanitarian law committed during armed conflict. They may include attacks against civilians, torture, unlawful treatment of detainees and other grave breaches of humanitarian protections.
International criminal law recognises that individuals can be held responsible for international crimes. Responsibility may apply to persons who directly commit crimes, order crimes or contribute to criminal conduct.
The International Criminal Court was established by the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression in situations within its jurisdiction.
International crimes may also be addressed through national legal systems. Some States allow courts to exercise universal jurisdiction over certain serious international crimes.
Students should understand the main international crimes, the principle of individual responsibility and the role of international and national courts in providing accountability.
International criminal law creates individual accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other recognised international crimes through legal institutions and national justice systems.