Number: RL33662
Title: The War Crimes Act: Current Issues
Authors: Michael John Garcia, American Law Division 
Abstract: The 1949 Geneva Conventions proscribe certain conduct by High Contracting Parties toward specified categories of vulnerable persons during armed conflict. High Contracting Parties are also required to provide effective penal sanctions against any person who commits (or orders the commission of) a "grave breach" of one of the Conventions, which is defined to include the wilful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, and the causing of great suffering or serious injury to body or health of protected persons. Congress approved the War Crimes Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-192) specifically to implement the Conventions' penal requirements.
Pages: 10
Date: January 28, 2008