crimes of aggression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crimes of aggression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions related to international law, military actions, or political discourse regarding unlawful acts by a state against another state. Example: "The tribunal was established to prosecute individuals accused of crimes of aggression during the conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The tribunal is tasked with "prosecuting the most serious crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression".

The Guardian

The ICC was established in 2002 for the major "crimes against peace": war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only when these acts are given names – genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, crimes of aggression – do we begin to understand their moral significance.

The Guardian - Opinion

If ratified, this court would have jurisdiction over the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.

The New York Times

The I.C.C. should be empowered to prosecute corporate crimes — and not be restricted to genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression, as it is now under the Rome Statute.

The New York Times

Crimes of aggression (also known as crimes against peace) are defined by the Nuremberg principles as "planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

As a result, the crime of aggression has not been prosecutable.

The New York Times

There seemed to be no pathway to defining or prosecuting the crime of aggression.

The New York Times

Blair was accused of "crimes against peace" and the crime of aggression.

The Guardian - Opinion

This accord, which covers the activities of the International Criminal Court, refers to the crime of aggression.

The Guardian

Further, they had committed a crime of aggression – a violation of international law.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters related to international conflicts, ensure that you accurately define "crimes of aggression" according to the relevant statutes, such as the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Common error

Avoid using "crimes of aggression" interchangeably with general terms like "war crimes" or "acts of war". Ensure that the specific criteria defining aggression under international law are met.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crimes of aggression" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in legal and political contexts. It identifies specific violations of international law related to the unlawful use of force by a state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

11%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crimes of aggression" is a noun phrase denoting specific violations of international law, primarily related to the unlawful use of force by a state. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and academic contexts. It serves to categorize actions for potential legal action, with a formal register evident in its usage. Related phrases include "acts of aggression" and "crimes against peace". Understanding the precise definition of "crimes of aggression" according to international statutes is essential, as is avoiding confusion with similar terms like "war crimes". The International Criminal Court plays a key role in prosecuting these crimes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acts of aggression

This alternative focuses on the actions themselves rather than the legal classification.

crimes against peace

A more general term encompassing various actions that disrupt international peace.

aggressive war

This term highlights the war itself as being aggressive in nature.

illegal warfare

This phrase emphasizes the unlawful nature of the conduct during war.

illegal invasions

Focuses specifically on the unlawful act of invading another country.

unlawful military actions

This broad term covers military actions that violate international laws and norms.

breaches of international peace

This alternative emphasizes the violation of international peace agreements and treaties.

violations of sovereignty

This alternative focuses on the infringement of a nation's sovereign rights.

war crimes

This phrase refers to violations of the laws and customs of war, which can include aggressive acts.

international crimes

A broad category that includes crimes of aggression along with other offenses like genocide and crimes against humanity.

FAQs

How are "crimes of aggression" defined in international law?

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court defines "crimes of aggression" as the planning, preparation, initiation, or execution, by a person in a position to effectively exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a State, of an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations.

What distinguishes "crimes of aggression" from war crimes and crimes against humanity?

"Crimes of aggression" focus on the unlawful use of military force by a state against another, while war crimes involve violations of the laws and customs of war, and crimes against humanity encompass widespread or systematic attacks against civilian populations. The "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes" usually happen during armed conflict.

What is the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in prosecuting "crimes of aggression"?

The ICC has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for "crimes of aggression", but its authority is subject to certain conditions, including the ratification of the Rome Statute by the states involved and specific activation decisions by the Assembly of States Parties.

What are some examples of actions that might be considered "crimes of aggression"?

Examples of actions that might constitute "crimes of aggression" include an invasion, military occupation, or attack by the armed forces of a state against the territory of another state without justification under international law, such as self-defense or authorization by the UN Security Council.