eli5: what happens if the Geneva convention is broken? my friend tried to explain to me but I still can’t understand
In: 320
There are two main forms of consequences:
1. In a legal sense, violations of the Geneva Conventions can be prosecuted under international law. You go to the [International Criminal Court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Court) in the Hague, like [Slobodan Milošević](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_of_Slobodan_Milo%C5%A1evi%C4%87). Or you can be prosecuted under the national laws of a country, since most countries who have signed the Geneva Conventions have incorporated it into their own law codes. You might be prosecuted by an enemy country (for example, if you’re captured) or by your own country if they’re willing to prosecute you (like the US did to [Lynndie England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynndie_England) and the other Abu Ghraib prison guards).
2. In a practical sense, in the middle of a war, if one side starts systematically violating the Geneva Conventions, the other side often will do the same in retaliation, for example by executing prisoners or intentionally killing non-combatants. The conflict will [devolve into greater levels of barbarism and cruelty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_crimes_committed_during_World_War_II), which is what the Geneva Conventions are designed to prevent.
Latest Answers