By :JD
Jordan Daily – Forced displacement is classified as both a war crime and a crime against humanity under several international laws and conventions, according to lawyer Haytham Ereifej.
Ereifej referenced the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) – Article 49, which prohibits the mass or individual forcible transfer of protected persons from occupied territories, except for imperative security reasons. He also pointed to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998), specifically:
- Article 7(1)(d), which classifies forced displacement as a crime against humanity if carried out as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population.
- Articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii), which categorize unlawful deportation or transfer as a war crime.
Additionally, Ereifej highlighted that customary international law, as documented by the International Committee of the Red Cross, confirms that forced displacement is prohibited unless necessary for imperative military reasons or to protect civilians.
“Those responsible for forced displacement can be held accountable before the International Criminal Court or special international tribunals, provided there is sufficient evidence and proper legal procedures,” Ereifej stated.
