The term repression generally refers to the adoption of legislation necessary to prevent and punish violations of the law.

IHL establishes duties on conflict parties to take all measures necessary to prevent and punish the commission of all acts contrary to the laws of war. Certain violations, such as grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, entail, for States, an absolute and concrete obligation to enact legislation providing effective penal sanctions for their commission, as well as the obligation to search and prosecute the individuals in question before a State’s own domestic courts, unless it prefers to hand the case over to another High Contracting Party which has made a prima facie case.

See Individual criminal responsibilityBreachGrave breaches, War crimesLegislation for application;

Cases