doctrine of command responsibility

The doctrine of command responsibility is a legal principle stating that military or civilian leaders can be held accountable for crimes committed by their subordinates if they knew or should have known about the misconduct and failed to take appropriate action to prevent or punish it. Essentially, leaders have a duty to supervise their personnel and ensure lawful behavior; if they neglect this duty, they can be held responsible for violations, such as war crimes. This principle emphasizes the importance of leadership accountability in maintaining discipline and adherence to laws during conflict.