War crimes

War crimes are grave breaches of rules protecting persons and objects during international or non-international armed conflict. They include, depending on the context, attacks on civilians, torture, inhuman treatment, hostage-taking, unlawful destruction and using prohibited means or methods of warfare. Individual criminal responsibility may arise before national courts or international tribunals. Switzerland has a strong humanitarian-law tradition and may investigate serious international crimes under domestic criminal law where jurisdictional requirements are met, while also supporting international accountability mechanisms.