WAR CRIMES AND THE LAWS OF WAR: ANALYZING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PROSECUTING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Abstract

The research investigates how international legal structures perform in war crime prosecutions through an examination of Geneva Conventions together with the International Criminal Court in addition to the ICTY and ICTR special tribunals. A review of established case studies alongside tribunal obstacles enables this study to explore the prosecution of persons responsible for war acts by evaluating both achievements and deficiencies. Although these legal tools have resulted in particular war crime court victories they continue to face major hurdles because of political influence together with jurisdictional disputes and limited state assistance. New developments such as cyber warfare and non-state actors alongside drone strikes have made existing laws insufficient to handle current war crimes effectively. Political pressures display two negative effects which delay fair trials and further the issue of impunity through selective application of international laws. The study demonstrates the requirement to reform international law because it needs stronger state cooperation and institution power as well as expanded coverage for current warfare methods. Research about the use of technology in war crime prosecutions along with studies into contemporary war threats through new international pacts remains essential for upcoming investigations. The study demands that international law evolve into a stronger adaptable framework that will serve justice to war crime victims across the changing context of the current war.