The Nuremberg Principles

The Nuremberg Principles are a set of guidelines established after World War II to address war crimes and crimes against humanity. They emerged from the Nuremberg Trials, where leaders of Nazi Germany were prosecuted. These principles assert that individuals can be held accountable for actions that violate international law, even if those actions were sanctioned by their government. Key ideas include that certain crimes—like genocide and torture—are universally condemned, and that following orders is not a valid defense for committing these acts. The principles aim to promote justice and ensure that such atrocities are not repeated.