war crimes

Cultural  

1. Acts committed by soldiers or government officials, either in the course of a war or in bringing on a war, that violate the customs of warfare. Examples of war crimes include atrocities committed against civilians (see My Lai massacre) and the mistreatment of prisoners of war. After World War II, twenty-two Nazi leaders were tried at Nuremberg by the victorious Allies, and twelve were sentenced to death for war crimes. (See Nuremberg trials.)

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war crimes

Critics say the court has focused too heavily on war crimes committed in Africa and failed to convict major political leaders.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

The statute allows the court to prosecute nonmember state nationals if they commit war crimes and crimes against humanity on the territory of member states.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

I’m not a Smith fanboy, though I certainly admire him for serving as a specialist prosecutor investigating war crimes in the Kosovo War.

From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2026

The discovery of 97 million documents more than three years into an inquiry investigating allegations that UK special forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan was a "regrettable failure", the Ministry of Defence has said.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

An   August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the   resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who faces war crimes   charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's   civil war.

From The 2008 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

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