Grave breaches

The most serious violations of the four Geneva Conventions and its additional protocols. These acts target particular persons that enjoy protection under international humanitarian law, like wounded, sick or shipwrecked combatants, prisoners of war or civilians. Grave breaches are regarded as war crimes. The following act constitute grave breaches:

• wilful killing
• torture or inhuman treatment
• wilfully causing great injury
• causing serious injury to body or health
• unlawful deportation or transfer
• taking hostages