unlawful deportation and transfer

Unlawful deportation and transfer is the act of forcibly removing a person from their home during war. This act is a war crime punishable by the International Criminal Court . The elements of unlawful deportation and transfer are:

  • The perpetrator moved the victim(s) to another State or to another location;
  • The victims were protected under the Geneva Conventions of 1949;
  • The perpetrator knew of the victim’s protected status;
  • The conduct took place in the context of an international armed conflict; and
  • The perpetrator knew of the international armed conflict.

Please visit the ICC’s Elements of Crimes for more information.

[Last reviewed in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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