Evolution of International Humanitarian Laws and War Crimes

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A detailed exploration of the historical background of the Red Cross, Geneva Conventions, and the establishment of the United Nations. The chapter discusses the additions and protocols to the Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute, and various war crimes, including crimes against humanity and genocide. It delves into legal complexities in determining war crimes, citing real-world examples like the Rwanda genocide and the Bosnian War.

The world is confusing, but there are experts in everything. In our least funny episode ever, we thankfully convinced a global expert, professor, researcher, author, and Genocidologist (it’s a real word) Dr. Dirk Moses to answer the questions that we may secretly have: What exactly is genocide? How long has it been happening? Is it a war crime? Is it a crime of atrocity? Who makes up humanitarian law? What's self-defense — and what's offense? How is it litigated? Whose business is it? Why do we do this to each other? What can be done? It’s a dense, long episode with lots of asides for history and context, but it might be just what you need to give you perspective on the conditions — and cycles of trauma — that can lead to crimes of atrocities.

Follow Dr. Dirk Moses on X

Read his book, “The Problems of Genocide: Permanent Security and the Language of Transgression”

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