The socalled fourth Geneva Convention. which provides for the protection of civilians In times of conflict or occupation. is also relevant in this regard. This convention prohibits the wilful killing. torture or kidnapping of innocent civilians. as well as extensive destruction or appropriation of property not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly. It also bars individual or mass forcible transfers. as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory. regardless of the motive. In addition. the Genocide Convention provides for the punishment of those who commit acts intended "to destroy. in whole or in part. a national. ethnic. racial or religious group * * *". regardless of whether these perpetrators are "constitutionally responsible rulers. public officials or private individuals." Tragically. the crimes I have Just listed are being carried out against the people of Bosnia. and have taken place in the last year in Slovenia. Croatia and in Kosovo.
Keywords matched
deportations