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one of the founding members of the UN.
June 26, 1945 Charter of the United Nations
Article 2(3) All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international
peace and security, and justice, are not endangered
Article 2(4) All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the
United Nations.
Stronger Rules Established
As the world came to terms with the terrible consequences of the Second World War, the members
of the United Nations committed themselves to stronger rules that would protect the rights of
civilians both in times of war and of peace. The horrors of the Holocaust led to the Convention
on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This was followed by the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of
Civilian Persons in Time of War.
December 9, 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide
Article 27: Protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their persons, their honor, their family
rights, their religious convictions and practices, and their manners and customs. They shall at all times be humanely
treated, and shall be protected especially against all acts of violence or threats thereof and against insults and public
curiosity.
Women shall be especially protected against any attack on their honor, in particular against rape, enforced prostitution,
or any form of indecent assault.
Article 148: No High Contracting Party shall be allowed to absolve itself or any other High Contracting Party of
any liability incurred by itself or by another High Contracting Party in respect of breaches referred to in the preceding
Article.
Principles of International Law
In 1950 the International Law Commission of the United Nations adopted the Principles of
International Law Recognized in the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal and in the Judgment of the
Tribunal. These include the recognition (Principle VI) of the defi nitions established by the Charter of
the International Military Tribunal of crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
1950 Principles of International Law Recognized in the Charter of
the Nuremberg Tribunal and in the Judgment of the Tribunal
Principle II: The fact that international law does not impose a penalty for an act which constitutes a crime
under international law does not relieve the person who committed the act from responsibility under international law.
Principle III: The fact that a person who committed an act which constitutes a crime under international law
acted as Head of State or responsible Government offi cial does not relieve him from responsibility under international
law.
Principle IV: The fact that a person acted pursuant to order of his Government or of a superior does not
relieve him from responsibility under international law, provided a moral choice was in fact possible to him.
Principle VII: Complicity in the commission of a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against
humanity as set forth in Principle VI is a crime under international law.
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