I prefer law to war under all circumstances.
Benjamin B. FerenczRead
What has happened here [aftermath of 9/11] is not war in its traditional sense. This is clearly a crime against humanity. War crimes are crimes which happen in war time. There is a confusion there. This is a crime against humanity because it is deliberate and intentional killing of large numbers of civilians for political or other purposes. That is not tolerable under the international systems. And it should be prosecuted pursuant to the existing laws.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the distinction between traditional warfare and acts that target civilians, labeling such acts as crimes against humanity.
In this quote, Benjamin B. Ferencz emphasizes the gravity and moral implications of intentionally harming civilians in conflict situations. By classifying these acts as crimes against humanity rather than traditional war crimes, he calls for accountability under international law, suggesting that such deliberate violence against innocent people is unacceptable and warrants prosecution.
Themes
WarCrimeHumanityCiviliansPoliticalAccountability
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a speech about human rights violations.
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