Definition of 'Crimes Against Humanity'.

Great Debates
1

Is there a real definition of “crimes against humanity”? I mean, I guess what I want to know, is there really a point when homicide, torture, rape, etc. cease to be these simple crimes and become “crimes against humanity”? Or is this term more an appeal to the emotions than anything else? Also, what is the exact legal definition of “crimes against humanity”, if there is one?

Remember I am not trying to make light of these terrible crimes. But I do wonder if there is really a definition to this crime.

Thank you in advance to all who reply :slight_smile:

2

Wikipedia seems to have a fairly complete description: Crimes against humanity - Wikipedia.

Is there something specific about that definition that you find hard to understand?

3

any definition that doesnt include lutefisk is incomplete.

4

No, I guess that Wikipedia article made things a little clearer. Notice that they say:

(emphasis mine)

But the quote goes on to say:

So there have to be more than one person involved for it to be war crimes. That makes it a little more clear. But I am still a little confused. Does that mean murdering one person is homicide, while murdering two is war crimes? Or am I somehow mistaken again here. Someone please correct me on this if I am.

5

:smack: Wait a minute, that quote said “one or more” not “more than one”. Nevertheless, I am still a little confused about how crimes can just fall short of this definition somehow. Again, if you beat up a person once, that’s a war crime, but if you beat up his family too, that’s crimes against humanity. :confused:

6

Just FYI, this is what I think I meant to add to the quote:

(emphasis mine again)

Thank you all for your patience. I think I got up on the wrong side of the bed today or something :wink: .

My question then again, is how widespread does it have to be to be crimes against humanity?