How are war crimes different from crimes against humanity?

In international criminal law, the primary distinction between war crimes and crimes against humanity lies in the context in which the acts are committed. While both categories involve serious offenses—such as murder, torture, and rape—that are criminal under national law, they are defined by different situational requirements.12

War Crimes

A war crime is defined as a serious violation of the laws or customs of war. These acts occur specifically in the context of an international or internal armed conflict. They concern the methods and materials of warfare, such as the use of prohibited weapons or the mistreatment of combatants, prisoners of war, and civilians. Under the Geneva Conventions, certain acts are classified as "grave breaches," which mandate that states prosecute those responsible.3124

Crimes Against Humanity

Crimes against humanity are defined as acts committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population. Unlike war crimes, these offenses do not require the existence of an armed conflict and can occur in peacetime. This category reflects the principle that individuals can be held accountable by the international community for atrocities that shock the conscience of mankind, regardless of whether they are committed by state leaders or those following state policy.152