The Prohibition of the Deliberate Use of Starvation as a Method of Warfare under International Humanitarian Law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

The use of starvation as a method of warfare constitutes a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and has catastrophic consequences for civilian populations. Although this prohibition is enshrined in several international treaties and customary international law, the effective implementation of this norm continues to face significant challenges. This study aims to examine and analyze the prohibition of the deliberate use of starvation as a method of warfare within the framework of international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Employing a descriptive-analytical method and relying on library resources and international legal instruments, the research explores existing regulations in treaty law, customary law, and the jurisprudence of the International Criminal Court. The findings indicate that Article ۸(۲)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute categorizes the use of starvation against civilians as a war crime in international armed conflicts. However, legal gaps still persist concerning the criminalization of this act in the context of non-international armed conflicts. The study concludes that, while the prohibition of starvation as a method of warfare has been institutionalized in international law, its effective and consistent enforcement requires the expansion of its scope and the establishment of stronger enforcement mechanisms at both national and international levels. These findings can contribute to the enhancement of humanitarian legal standards and the prevention of human catastrophes in armed conflicts.

کلیدواژه ها:

Starvation ، International Humanitarian Law ، International Criminal Court ، War Crime ، Rome Statute