International crime refers to atrocities committed internationally, such as genocide, war crimes, human trafficking, and crimes of aggression. International criminal law is complex, and until the 1990s, people were tried under national laws. The Rome Statute of the International Court established the first permanent international criminal court, but not all countries have joined. Genocide, war crimes, human trafficking, and crimes of aggression are all considered international crimes and are punishable under international law.
The term “international crime” does not have a single, simple and universal meaning. In most cases, however, an international crime refers to internationally committed atrocities, such as genocide, war crimes, crimes of aggression, and human trafficking. International criminal law is extremely complex, as is the prosecution of defendants accused of an international crime.
International law in general is a complex network of international treaties with specialized courts formed to adjudicate legal issues arising in international law. Until the 1990s, people accused of an international crime were tried under the laws of a particular nation or tried in tribunals formed for a specific purpose, such as the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. In 1998, the Rome Statute of the International Court was adopted, ratified in 2002, which constitutes the first permanent international criminal court. Not all countries, however, have joined the formation of the court, notably the United States, China and India, among others.
Genocide is an international crime involving the intentional and systematic destruction of a specific ethnic, racial or religious group. The most famous example of the crime of genocide in recent history involves the actions of Adolf Hitler in the 1940s. While the definition of what exactly constitutes genocide may vary among scholars, all agree that genocide is an international matter and, therefore, should be considered an international crime.
War crimes are crimes committed during a period of war and are specific to the treatment of prisoners or citizens of an occupied territory. There are a number of international treaties which stipulate the expected conduct of soldiers when occupying enemy territory, as well as the treatment of prisoners. In general, prisoners or citizens of an occupied territory are to be treated humanely, despite being prisoners. Violating the terms of a treaty on the treatment of prisoners is considered a war crime and is punishable under international law.
Human trafficking is another international crime that involves abducting individuals from their home country and transporting them across international borders for profit. In some cases, human trafficking involves the abduction of women who are then sold into the sex trade. Human trafficking can also involve the abduction of individuals for sale in the slave trade.
Crimes of aggression are also considered an international crime. Crimes of aggression include situations where a military conflict is initiated without any reasonable justification such as self-defense. Usually, a crime of aggression is simply an attempt by a nation to seize territory. The crime of aggression is a relatively new crime and therefore the definition is constantly evolving.
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