War Crimes
439 Articles

Senators Call for Prosecution of Gambian Paramilitary Fighter in US Custody
Rare opportunity to criminally prosecute a person implicated in extremely grave human rights abuses in a U.S. court.

U.S. Issues Travel Ban on Sri Lankan Military Leader
The U.S. State Department’s announcement of a travel ban on Sri Lankan Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, current commander of the Sri Lankan Army and acting chief of the Defense…

Sudan Announces Intention to Have al-Bashir and Others “Appear” Before the ICC
Sudan's transitional government said al-Bashir and others indicted by the ICC for atrocities in Darfur must "appear" before the Court, but whether extraditions will occur remains…

Human Shielding (by Omission) in Iran
Iran violated its legal obligations to take passive precautions to protect civilians under its control, with the intent that those civilians shield military targets from attack.…

Iran Plane Downing: Likely a Violation of International Humanitarian Law (But Not a War Crime)
Iran most likely violated the law of armed conflict in shooting down Ukraine Airlines PS752 but did not commit a war crime.

Trump’s Threat to Target Iranian Cultural Sites: Illegal Under International, Domestic and Military Law
In response to a potential Iranian armed retaliation following the United States’ killing of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, President Donald Trump tweeted that the U.S. military…

Next Steps in Liberia’s Long Quest for Justice, 10 Years After Commission Report
A full decade after Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended establishment of a war crimes court to seek justice for atrocities during the country's 14 years of…

The Spencer Standoff with Trump over Gallagher Distracts from the Navy’s Real Problems
Focusing on Trump’s many faults in the Gallagher case obscures something even more troubling: the Navy has serious problems right now and its former leader, recently fired Secretary…

National Security at the United Nations This Week
Security Council members condemn US policy shift on Israeli settlements, a Russia-sponsored cyber agreement that could pave the way for more Internet censorship moves forward,…

To Watch “For Sama” Is To Bear Witness
“To try and live a normal life in this place is to stand against the regime.” Those are the words of Waad al-Kateab, a young filmmaker and mother, who chronicles her life in…

National Security at the United Nations This Week
Editor’s Note: This is the latest in Just Security’s weekly series keeping readers up to date on developments at the United Nations at the intersection of national security,…

Suit Against Sri Lankan Presidential Candidate Rajapaksa Dismissed on Common Law Immunity Grounds
Among other deficiencies, the ruling failed to acknowledge jurisprudence from other courts indicating that jus cogens violations can never constitute “official” acts entitling…