Legal Definitions - crime against international law

A Crime Against Peace is a grave international offense where individuals are held accountable for the planning, preparation, initiation, or execution of a war that is considered aggressive or violates international treaties, agreements, or assurances intended to maintain global peace.

This concept emerged significantly after World War II, holding leaders and military commanders responsible for starting unjust wars, rather than just for their conduct during wartime. It is a specific category within the broader framework of crimes against international law.

• Example 1: Unprovoked Invasion of a Sovereign State

  Imagine a scenario where the political leadership of Country A decides to launch a full-scale military invasion of Country B, a neighboring sovereign nation, without any immediate threat from Country B and without seeking or receiving authorization from international bodies like the United Nations Security Council. Country A's stated reasons are based on historical claims to Country B's territory, not self-defense.

  This illustrates a Crime Against Peace because Country A's leadership "initiated" and "waged a war of aggression" against Country B. Such an act violates fundamental principles of international law, including the prohibition on the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, as enshrined in the UN Charter.

• Example 2: Covert Operations Leading to Regional Conflict

  Consider a situation where high-ranking military and intelligence officials in Country X secretly fund, train, and arm rebel factions within Country Y, aiming to destabilize its government and create a pretext for intervention. These covert actions escalate over several years, eventually leading to a widespread armed conflict between Country X and Country Y, despite both nations being signatories to a non-aggression pact.

  This demonstrates a Crime Against Peace because the officials in Country X "planned" and "prepared" a war of aggression by systematically undermining Country Y's stability and fostering conflict, ultimately "initiating" a war in violation of existing international peace treaties (the non-aggression pact).

• Example 3: Pre-emptive Strike Based on Unverified Intelligence

  Suppose the government of Nation Z, acting on highly speculative and unverified intelligence about a potential future weapons program in Nation W, decides to launch a massive aerial bombardment and ground invasion of Nation W. This action is taken without presenting compelling evidence to international bodies, exhausting diplomatic options, or facing an imminent armed attack from Nation W.

  This would be considered a Crime Against Peace because Nation Z's leadership "initiated" a war of aggression. Launching a large-scale military operation based on unverified or non-imminent threats, without international consensus or clear justification under self-defense principles, constitutes a violation of international law prohibiting aggressive warfare.