Crimes Against Humanity - Crime on a Grand Scale

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What are crimes against humanity? These are grave offenses made to a vast number of people. Crimes against humanity have been with us since time immemorial. It does not mean, however, that we should let it go on forever. Luckily today, there are international bodies that we can call on to intervene and - hopefully - put an end to these heinous offences against man.

Crime against humanity does not refer to a particular crime, but to any crime done to a large number of people. The definition of the Rome Statute Explanatory Memorandum stresses the violation of human dignity in a crime against humanity. They are not governed by any particular national legislation but fall under the statutes of international law.

A crime against humanity can take many forms and in some cases, it could even be part of a nationwide or regional government policy or initiative. It generally refers to a wide variety of incidents and instances wherein there is a stronghold of power that ensures these are instituted. A crime against humanity is not merely torture or rape; it has to be part of a greater arena where it is done commonly and systematically. It can also take the form of genocide, war crimes, mass murder, ethnic cleansing and other related crimes. This could also happen alongside the kidnapping and disappearance of citizens, the deportation of some members of society and the wrongful imprisonment of citizens.

Crime Against Humanity - The Apartheid Example

One familiar example of a crime against humanity is apartheid in South Africa. During the time where apartheid was in place in South Africa, there was a strict policy of segregating the races. There were many restrictions under apartheid such as the prohibition of mixed marriages between whites and non-whites. Non-whites were also not allowed to put up businesses in certain areas of the country that were designated for the white people.

Even public transportation and hospitals entailed a separation of the two major races in the country. The black people in South Africa suffered considerably in their own country and had to endure substandard living conditions where they were not given the same opportunities as the whites whether with access to education, right to buy liquor and in some cases, even the right to have basic utilities such as plumbing and electricity in their homes.

Eventually, it became clear that the blacks in South Africa were treated merely as workers in their own homeland and acquiring a passport became more difficult for them. They were stripped of their citizenship and relegated to homeland areas, the only territories within South Africa where they were allowed to stay and reside.

Crime Against Humanity - What’s Being Done

The International Criminal Court, which was established in the Hague in the Netherlands, is responsible for ensuring that any crime against humanity is brought to their attention and addressed immediately. The United Nations Security Council also works hand in hand with them to exert pressure on countries guilty of crimes against humanity, deploy their own troops and provide aid where it is most needed.

Punishment for crimes against humanity could be decided in the International Criminal Court but also respects the right of the state to try their own nationals. If necessary, states will work together to arrest and prosecute those individuals guilty of crimes against humanity and should not grant asylum for the accused.