Africa: Corporate Pillage Is a War Crime

analysis

The laws of war, also known as international humanitarian law, have long protected property against pillage during armed conflict.

In the 1863 Lieber Code, which established the law of war for Union forces in the American Civil War, "all pillage or sacking, even after taking place by main force [... were] prohibited under the penalty of death, or such other severe punishment as may seem adequate for the gravity of the offense." In the Hague Regulations of 1907, two provisions categorically stipulate that "the pillage of a town or place, even when taken by assault, is prohibited," and that "pillage is formally forbidden."

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.