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18 U.S.C. § 2441

War crimes

United States · Title 18 — CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · Status: effective

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18 U.S.C. § 2441, War crimes, United States, version 1 as recorded 2026-07-09, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/449649
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Full text

There is jurisdiction over an offense described in subsection (a) if— regardless of where the offense occurs— the victim or offender is— As used in this section the term “war crime” means any conduct— In subsection (c)(3), the term “grave breach of common Article 3” means any conduct (such conduct constituting a grave breach of common Article 3 of the international conventions done at Geneva August 12, 1949), as follows: In the case of an offense under subsection (a) by reason of subsection (c)(3)— the term “serious physical pain or suffering” shall be applied for purposes of paragraph (1)(B) as meaning bodily injury that involves— the term “serious mental pain or suffering” shall be applied for purposes of paragraph (1)(B) in accordance with the meaning given the term “severe mental pain or suffering” (as defined in section 2340(2) of this title), except that— The intent specified for the conduct stated in subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) or paragraph (1) precludes the applicability of those subparagraphs to an offense under subsection (a) by reasons of subsection (c)(3) with respect to— For an offense for which jurisdiction exists under subsection (b)(2)(B) (and does not exist under any other provision of subsection (b)), the written certification required under paragraph (1) of this subsection that a prosecution by the United States is in the public interest and necessary to secure substantial justice shall be made by the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General, which function may not be delegated. In issuing such certification, the same official shall weigh and consider, among other relevant factors— Nothing in this section shall be construed as—

Legislative history

The public laws that enacted or amended this section. Tallies are for the whole bill as it passed each chamber — often an omnibus covering far more than this provision — not a vote on this section alone.

  • Enacted byPub. L. 104-192(H.R. 3680)1996-08-21
    War Crimes Act of 1996
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 104-294(H.R. 3723)1996-10-11
    Economic Espionage Act of 1996
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 105-118(H.R. 2159)1997-11-26
    Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1998
    House: 333–76Senate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 107-273(H.R. 2215)2002-11-02
    21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act
    House: 400–4Senate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 109-366(S. 3930)2006-10-17
    Military Commissions Act of 2006
  • Amended byPub. L. 117-351(S. 4240)2023-01-05
    Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally