This category includes actions that violate the fundamental human rights and freedoms of individuals, as recognized under various international human rights treaties and customary international law. Examples of such violations include:
Torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Arbitrary detention or imprisonment without due process.
Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics.
Genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL):
IHL governs the conduct of armed conflict and aims to protect civilians, combatants who are no longer taking part in hostilities, and certain objects (e.g., hospitals and cultural sites). Violations of IHL can include:
Targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure intentionally.
Using prohibited weapons, such as chemical or biological weapons.
Attacking humanitarian workers or facilities.
Using human shields.
Breach of International Agreements and Treaties:
States enter into numerous international agreements and treaties to govern various aspects of their relations, including trade, environmental protection, and arms control. Actions that violate these agreements can be considered illegal under international law. Examples include:
Violating trade agreements by imposing unjustified tariffs or trade restrictions.
Failing to comply with environmental agreements, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Breaching arms control agreements, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).