The interpretation of the term “civilian population” as an element of the type in crime against humanity

Abstract

The civil population was identified as the goal of protection of the crime against the humanity, in its first international enforceable article of law. This limitation was produced due to the historical and political developments, before the application of the crime against humanity in the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal. However, this limitation of the protection upon this object continues occurred nowadays, even though the crime is committed in peace time. This article questions whether exist a real criminal ground for maintaining this limitation and also suggest erasing the concept “civilian population” of the crime against humanity.