Examining “Other Inhumane Acts” as a Category of Crimes Against Humanity with Emphasis on the Practice of the International Criminal Court

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 M.A in Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Crimes against humanity are among the most serious international offenses. In recent years, many of such crimes have been committed by States or organizations against innocent civilians, deeply affecting societies worldwide. Atrocities during World Wars I and II prompted the international community to prosecute war criminals, while crimes in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Sudan, and other countries led to the establishment of ad hoc tribunals to address genocide and crimes against humanity. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the first permanent and most significant tribunal established to handle international crimes. Crimes against humanity are particularly important because they target civilian populations based on ethnicity, race, religion, or other factors, and can occur both during armed conflicts and in times of peace. These crimes include acts such as murder, sexual violence, torture, destruction, and forced population transfers. Additionally, other inhumane acts similar to these are recognized as crimes against humanity. Although the scope of such acts may initially seem broad or ambiguous, the practice of international tribunals and their adducion to similar inhumane acts has confirmed the necessity of their existence for the proper administration of justice.

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Criminal Law Doctrines
Volume 22, Issue 30 - Serial Number 30
December 2025
Pages 407-436

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History

  • Receive Date: 06 January 2026
  • Revise Date: 30 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 02 May 2026
  • Publish Date: 22 December 2025

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