War crimes and apartheid are among the most serious violations of international law, with devastating consequences for affected communities. These crimes not only inflict immense human suffering but also undermine global stability and justice. While these terms are often discussed in the media and political discourse, their legal definitions and implications remain widely misunderstood. Understanding these concepts is essential for students and activists committed to advocating for human rights, challenging systemic oppression, and holding perpetrators accountable.
From historical cases such as the Holocaust and South African apartheid to modern conflicts in Palestine, Myanmar, and Ukraine, violations of international law continue to shape global affairs. As future leaders, scholars, and activists, students play a vital role in exposing and challenging these injustices.
Universities are hubs of knowledge and critical discourse, making them key battlegrounds in the fight for justice. Through education and activism, students can push for meaningful change by raising awareness, demanding accountability, and influencing institutional policies.
What Are War Crimes?
War crimes are grave breaches of international humanitarian law committed during armed conflicts. They are distinct from other violations of human rights in that they occur in wartime and involve acts prohibited under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The goal of these legal frameworks is to protect civilians, prisoners of war, and those no longer participating in hostilities, ensuring that warfare does not violate fundamental ethical principles.
Some of the most widely recognized war crimes include the deliberate targeting of civilians, extrajudicial executions, torture, forced displacement, and the use of prohibited weapons such as chemical or biological agents. Attacks on hospitals, schools, and humanitarian workers are also classified as war crimes under international law. Despite these clear prohibitions, war crimes continue to occur in conflicts worldwide, often with little or no accountability for the perpetrators.
One of the biggest challenges in prosecuting war crimes is the issue of enforcement. While the International Criminal Court (ICC) has the mandate to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes, political barriers and lack of cooperation from powerful states often hinder its effectiveness. Countries that are not signatories to the Rome Statute, such as the United States, Russia, and Israel, are not legally bound to comply with ICC rulings, making accountability selective and inconsistent. Moreover, many alleged war criminals continue to hold positions of power, making it difficult for victims to seek justice.
What is Apartheid?
Apartheid is a system of institutionalized racial or ethnic discrimination and segregation that systematically oppresses one group in favor of another. Under international law, apartheid is classified as a crime against humanity and is defined in the 1973 Apartheid Convention and the Rome Statute of the ICC. The key characteristics of apartheid include the denial of political and civil rights, restrictions on movement and land ownership, and the implementation of laws that segregate populations based on racial, ethnic, or religious identity.
Historically, the most well-known example of apartheid occurred in South Africa from 1948 to 1994, where the white minority government enforced racial segregation, denied Black South Africans basic rights, and violently suppressed resistance movements. The apartheid system was eventually dismantled due to decades of domestic resistance and international pressure, including economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
In contemporary discussions, apartheid frameworks have been applied to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Reports by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and B’Tselem have documented policies of segregation, land dispossession, and systemic discrimination against Palestinians, leading to allegations that Israel’s governance over Palestinian territories meets the legal definition of apartheid.
The application of this label remains politically contentious, with strong opposition from pro-Israel groups and governments. However, the growing international discourse surrounding Israel-Palestine underscores the importance of legal frameworks in defining and addressing structural oppression.
International Legal Frameworks and Accountability
International law provides a set of treaties, conventions, and institutions to address war crimes and apartheid. The Geneva Conventions establish the basic legal protections for civilians and combatants in times of war, while the Rome Statute of the ICC provides a legal basis for prosecuting individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
Despite these legal frameworks, holding perpetrators accountable remains a significant challenge. Political interests often influence whether cases are prosecuted, leading to accusations of bias in international justice. For example, leaders from African nations have frequently faced ICC prosecution, while leaders of powerful Western or allied countries often evade accountability. The United Nations (UN) plays a role in investigating human rights violations, but its ability to enforce justice is often blocked by veto powers held by permanent members of the UN Security Council.
This lack of enforcement has led many human rights activists to push for grassroots and institutional accountability measures, such as boycotts, sanctions, and divestment campaigns. These efforts aim to pressure governments and corporations to cut ties with regimes accused of committing war crimes or operating apartheid systems. Universities and student organizations have been at the forefront of these movements, demonstrating the power of collective activism in demanding justice.
The Role of Universities and Student Activism
Universities have long been at the forefront of social and political change, serving as spaces for critical thought, debate, and activism. Students and academic institutions have played pivotal roles in challenging war crimes, apartheid systems, and other human rights violations, using their platforms to advocate for justice and accountability.
From historical anti-apartheid movements to modern-day campaigns addressing state violence and systemic oppression, student activism continues to be a powerful force for change. By leveraging education, research, and organized action, students can hold institutions accountable and contribute to global efforts for justice.
Why Students Should Care
Universities play a critical role in shaping global discourse on justice and human rights. As spaces for intellectual debate and academic inquiry, they provide students with the tools to analyze complex issues and take informed action.
Historically, student activism has been instrumental in challenging oppressive regimes, advocating for civil rights, and influencing government policies. Understanding war crimes and apartheid is not just about academic knowledge—it is about recognizing how global systems of oppression operate and using education as a tool for change.
Universities also serve as battlegrounds where competing narratives about history, power, and justice are contested, making them critical spaces for shaping public consciousness. When students engage with issues like war crimes and apartheid, they challenge institutional complacency and push for policies that align academic institutions with ethical responsibility.
By mobilizing collective action, they can influence not only their campuses but also broader political and social movements, demonstrating the power of informed activism in driving meaningful change.
Campus Movements and Advocacy
Throughout history, student-led movements have successfully pressured institutions to take a stand against war crimes and apartheid.
The anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s, which called for divestment from South Africa, was largely driven by university students demanding that their schools cut financial ties with companies operating in apartheid-era South Africa.
More recently, Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns have gained traction in universities worldwide, urging institutions to sever economic and academic partnerships with companies complicit in human rights violations.
Despite facing pushback from administrations and external lobbying groups, student movements continue to raise awareness and push for policies that align universities with principles of human rights and justice. Student unions, faculty members, and campus organizations have played a vital role in educating their communities and mobilizing collective action against war crimes and apartheid systems.
How You Can Get Involved
Students interested in making a difference can take concrete steps to educate, advocate, and organize. Learning about international law, historical injustices, and current human rights violations is the first step toward informed activism. Engaging with student organizations, attending lectures, and participating in campaigns can help build a strong foundation for effective advocacy.
Beyond education, students can take direct action by supporting divestment campaigns, organizing campus events, and engaging in peaceful protests. Petitioning university administrations to adopt ethical investment policies, inviting speakers from affected communities, and using campus media to amplify marginalized voices are effective strategies for pushing for institutional change.
For students looking for additional resources, organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Criminal Court, and local human rights groups provide valuable information and avenues for activism. Solidarity networks with other student movements worldwide can also strengthen advocacy efforts and create a broader impact.
The fight against war crimes and apartheid is not confined to history books—it is an ongoing struggle that requires active engagement. Through education, activism, and solidarity, students can play a crucial role in holding power to account and working toward a more just and equitable world.