The Kahan Report, Ariel Sharon and the Sabra-Shatilla Massacres m Lebanon: Responsibility Under International Law for Massacres of Civilian Populations

It is in some ways easier to understand and grieve the death of one person than that of thousands. Perhaps as a result, a tragedy of human history is that massacres of civilian populations did not end with World War II. One aspect of the aftermath of that war's atrocities, however, was the creation of precepts of international law to deter the recurrence of such atrocities and, failing that, to punish their perpetrators. The potential for justice and orderly resolution exists.

Among other principles of customary international law, the Geneva Conventions, the Nuremberg Principles and the Genocide Convention provide an international framework for resolution of responsibility and punishment for massacres of civilian populations.