Legal Framework Index
Which laws were broken? This page connects each incident to the specific international statutes it allegedly violates — Rome Statute articles, Geneva Convention provisions, and more. Built for lawyers preparing cases.
Understanding classification levels
- Confirmed
- Per se violation — the act itself constitutes the crime regardless of outcome (e.g., declaring no quarter)
- Probable
- Strong expert consensus from recognized legal authorities supports classification as a war crime or violation
- Potential
- Credible allegations with specific international law provisions identified, lacking final adjudication
- Enabling
- Action that removes oversight, capacity, or safeguards that would prevent or detect violations
Civilian casualty figures are sourced from independent monitoring organizations (Airwars, HRW, Amnesty, Hengaw) and represent documented/confirmed casualties, not estimates. ICC relevance indicates cases where ICC territorial or personal jurisdiction may apply through the Rome Statute.
Classification Summary
Rome Statute
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Independence and integrity of the ICC as an international judicial body; while the US is not a party, sanctions interfere with treaty obligations of ICC member states | severe Executive Order Sanctioning International Criminal Court Officials (enabling) |
| Article 25(3)(c) | Aiding, abetting, or otherwise assisting in commission of a crime within ICC jurisdiction | extreme US Arms Transfers to Israel During ICJ Genocide Proceedings (probable) |
| Article 7(1)(k) | Crime against humanity: other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering | extreme Trump Issues Ultimatum: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Unless Iran Capitulates (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(ii) | War crime: intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects which are not military objectives | extreme Trump Issues Ultimatum: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Unless Iran Capitulates (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(ii) | War crime: intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects | extreme U.S. Strikes on Iran's Kharg Island Oil Export Hub (probable)extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | War crime: launching an attack in the knowledge that it will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians clearly excessive in relation to military advantage | extreme Trump Issues Ultimatum: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Unless Iran Capitulates (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | War crime: launching attacks expected to cause incidental civilian harm clearly excessive in relation to military advantage | extreme U.S. Strikes on Iran's Kharg Island Oil Export Hub (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | War crime: intentionally launching attacks knowing they will cause incidental loss of civilian life clearly excessive in relation to military advantage | extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | War crime to launch an attack in the knowledge that it will cause incidental loss of civilian life clearly excessive in relation to the military advantage anticipated | severe Dismantlement of Pentagon Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Program (enabling) |
| Article 8bis | Crime of aggression: use of armed force by a state not in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations | extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable) |
| Article 8bis | Crime of aggression -- use of armed force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of another state | major Military and Economic Threats Against Greenland and Panama Canal Sovereignty (potential) |
Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 12 | Medical units shall be respected and protected at all times and shall not be the object of attack | extreme Attacks on Iranian Healthcare Facilities: WHO Verifies 18 Strikes on Hospitals and Medical Infrastructure (probable) |
| Article 51 | Protection of the civilian population; prohibition on indiscriminate attacks | extreme Minab School Strike: US Tomahawk Cruise Missile Kills 175-180 Schoolgirls (probable) |
| Article 51(4) | Indiscriminate attacks are prohibited — attacks not directed at a specific military objective | extreme Trump Issues Ultimatum: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Unless Iran Capitulates (probable) |
| Article 51(5)(b) | An attack which may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated is indiscriminate | extreme Trump Issues Ultimatum: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Unless Iran Capitulates (probable) |
| Article 52 | Civilian objects shall not be the object of attack or of reprisals | extreme Trump Issues Ultimatum: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Unless Iran Capitulates (probable) |
| Article 52 | Civilian objects shall not be the object of attack or of reprisals. Civilian objects are all objects which are not military objectives. | extreme U.S. Double-Tap Strike Destroys Iran's B1 Bridge, Killing Civilians on Nowruz Holiday (probable) |
| Article 52 | Prohibition on attacks against civilian objects; attacks shall be limited strictly to military objectives | extreme U.S. Strikes on Iran's Kharg Island Oil Export Hub (probable) |
| Article 52 | Prohibition on attacks against civilian objects; civilian objects shall not be the object of attack or reprisals | extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable) |
| Article 52 | General protection of civilian objects; schools are prima facie civilian objects | extreme Minab School Strike: US Tomahawk Cruise Missile Kills 175-180 Schoolgirls (probable) |
| Article 53 | Prohibition of acts of hostility directed against historic monuments, works of art, or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples | extreme Destruction of Iranian UNESCO World Heritage Sites in US-Israeli Airstrikes (probable) |
| Article 54 | Prohibition on attacking objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population | extreme Trump Issues Ultimatum: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Unless Iran Capitulates (probable)extreme U.S. Strikes on Iran's Kharg Island Oil Export Hub (probable)extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable) |
| Article 56 | Protection of works and installations containing dangerous forces | extreme Trump Issues Ultimatum: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Unless Iran Capitulates (probable) |
| Article 56 | Protection of works and installations containing dangerous forces (dams, dykes, nuclear electrical generating stations) | extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable) |
| Article 56 | Works or installations containing dangerous forces, namely dams, dykes and nuclear electrical generating stations, shall not be made the object of attack, even where these objects are military objectives | extreme Repeated Strikes Near Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Risk Radioactive Catastrophe (probable) |
| Article 57 | In the conduct of military operations, constant care shall be taken to spare the civilian population, civilians and civilian objects | extreme U.S. Double-Tap Strike Destroys Iran's B1 Bridge, Killing Civilians on Nowruz Holiday (probable) |
| Article 79 | Measures of protection for journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict | severe Trump Threatens to Jail Journalists Who Reported on Iran Rescue Mission |
| Articles 51, 57 | Protection of civilian population and precautionary measures in attack | severe Dismantlement of Pentagon Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Program (enabling) |
Customary International Humanitarian Law
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Rule 7: The parties to the conflict must at all times distinguish between civilian objects and military objectives. Attacks may only be directed against military objectives. | extreme U.S. Double-Tap Strike Destroys Iran's B1 Bridge, Killing Civilians on Nowruz Holiday (probable) |
| — | ICRC Rule 42: Particular care must be taken if works and installations containing dangerous forces are attacked | extreme Repeated Strikes Near Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Risk Radioactive Catastrophe (probable) |
| — | Rule 28: Medical units exclusively assigned to medical purposes must be respected and protected in all circumstances | extreme Attacks on Iranian Healthcare Facilities: WHO Verifies 18 Strikes on Hospitals and Medical Infrastructure (probable) |
| — | ICRC Rule 46: Ordering that no quarter be given is prohibited | extreme Defense Secretary Hegseth Declares 'No Quarter, No Mercy' for Iran (probable) |
| — | ICRC Rule 109: Search for, collect and evacuate the wounded, sick and shipwrecked | extreme Sinking of IRIS Dena: USS Charlotte Torpedoes Iranian Frigate Off Sri Lanka (potential) |
| — | Principles of distinction and proportionality -- obligation to distinguish between combatants and civilians and to ensure attacks are proportionate | severe Dismantlement of Pentagon Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Program (enabling) |
| ICRC Rule 1 | Principle of distinction: parties must distinguish between civilians and combatants | extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable) |
| ICRC Rule 14 | Proportionality in attack: launching an attack expected to cause incidental civilian harm excessive in relation to concrete and direct military advantage anticipated is prohibited | extreme U.S. Strikes on Iran's Kharg Island Oil Export Hub (probable) |
| ICRC Rule 7 | Principle of distinction: parties must distinguish between civilian objects and military objectives | extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable) |
| ICRC Rules 11-13 | Prohibition of indiscriminate attacks | extreme Trump Issues Ultimatum: 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' Unless Iran Capitulates (probable) |
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 1 | The ICC has the power to exercise its jurisdiction over persons for the most serious crimes of international concern — genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression | severe ICC Immunity Demands: Ultimatum to Amend Rome Statute and Exempt Americans from War Crimes Prosecution (enabling) |
| Article 7 | Crimes against humanity — sexual slavery, rape, enforced prostitution, trafficking, persecution, torture as part of a widespread or systematic attack | critical Epstein Files: DOJ Withholds Evidence, UN Experts Warn of Crimes Against Humanity (enabling) |
| Article 7 | Crimes against humanity — murder as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population | extreme Operation Southern Spear: Lethal Drone Strikes on Caribbean and Pacific Drug Boats (probable) |
| Article 7(1)(d) | Crime against humanity: deportation or forcible transfer of population when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population | severe Phase II Mass Deportation: Expansion to Workplace Raids and 92,000-Bed Warehouse Detention System (potential) |
| Article 7(1)(e) | Crimes against humanity — imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberty in violation of fundamental rules of international law | extreme Torture and Enforced Disappearances at 'Alligator Alcatraz' and Krome Detention Centers (probable) |
| Article 7(1)(f) | Crimes against humanity — torture | extreme Torture and Enforced Disappearances at 'Alligator Alcatraz' and Krome Detention Centers (probable) |
| Article 7(1)(i) | Crimes against humanity — enforced disappearance of persons | extreme Torture and Enforced Disappearances at 'Alligator Alcatraz' and Krome Detention Centers (probable) |
| Article 7(1)(i) | Crimes against humanity — enforced disappearance of persons when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against any civilian population | extreme Forced Disappearances of Salvadoran Deportees in El Salvador's Prison System (probable) |
| Article 7(1)(k) | Crime against humanity — other inhumane acts intentionally causing great suffering or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health | critical Afghanistan Frozen Assets and Aid Termination: 22.9 Million Face Humanitarian Catastrophe (probable) |
| Article 70 | Offences against the administration of justice, including obstructing or interfering with officials of the Court | severe ICC Immunity Demands: Ultimatum to Amend Rome Statute and Exempt Americans from War Crimes Prosecution (enabling) |
| Article 8 | War crimes — intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population | severe Repeated US Vetoes of UN Security Council Gaza Ceasefire Resolutions (enabling) |
| Article 8 | War crimes — intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects and against the civilian population | extreme US Airstrike Kills 68 African Migrants in Yemen Detention Center (probable) |
| Article 8 bis | Crime of aggression — the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State | extreme Iran War: Crime of Aggression — War Launched Without Congressional Authorization (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(a)(i) | Wilful killing of persons protected under the Geneva Conventions | extreme Sinking of IRIS Dena: USS Charlotte Torpedoes Iranian Frigate Off Sri Lanka (potential) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(i) | War crime — intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such | extreme 2026 Lebanon War — US Weapons Complicity in Mass Civilian Casualties and White Phosphorus Attacks (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(ii) | War crime: Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, that is, objects which are not military objectives | extreme U.S. Double-Tap Strike Destroys Iran's B1 Bridge, Killing Civilians on Nowruz Holiday (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(ii) | War crime of intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects | extreme US Strikes on Ras Issa Fuel Port Kill 84+ Civilians in Yemen (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | War crime: Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated | extreme U.S. Double-Tap Strike Destroys Iran's B1 Bridge, Killing Civilians on Nowruz Holiday (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects or widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated | extreme Repeated Strikes Near Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Risk Radioactive Catastrophe (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | War crime of launching an attack in the knowledge that it will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete military advantage anticipated | extreme US Strikes on Ras Issa Fuel Port Kill 84+ Civilians in Yemen (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | War crime of launching an attack in the knowledge that it will cause civilian casualties clearly excessive in relation to military advantage | extreme Operation Rough Rider: US Killed More Civilians in 52 Days Than in Previous 23 Years in Yemen (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | War crime — intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated | extreme 2026 Lebanon War — US Weapons Complicity in Mass Civilian Casualties and White Phosphorus Attacks (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(iv) | Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that it will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated | extreme Minab School Strike: US Tomahawk Cruise Missile Kills 175-180 Schoolgirls (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(ix) | War crime: Intentionally directing attacks against hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives | extreme Attacks on Iranian Healthcare Facilities: WHO Verifies 18 Strikes on Hospitals and Medical Infrastructure (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(ix) | War crime of intentionally directing attacks against hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected | extreme Operation Rough Rider: US Killed More Civilians in 52 Days Than in Previous 23 Years in Yemen (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(ix) | War crime — intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments | extreme Destruction of Iranian UNESCO World Heritage Sites in US-Israeli Airstrikes (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(ix) | Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to education, provided they are not military objectives | extreme Minab School Strike: US Tomahawk Cruise Missile Kills 175-180 Schoolgirls (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(xii) | Declaring that no quarter will be given | extreme Defense Secretary Hegseth Declares 'No Quarter, No Mercy' for Iran (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(xx) | War crime of employing weapons which are of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering | severe Pentagon Signs $210M+ Deal to Purchase Cluster Munitions From Israel (enabling)severe Hegseth Reverses US Landmine Ban, Rescinds $5B+ Humanitarian Demining Program (enabling) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(xx) | War crime: employing weapons, projectiles, material and methods of warfare which cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering | extreme US-Supplied White Phosphorus Used Over Lebanese Civilian Areas (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(b)(xxiv) | War crime: Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to medical purposes | extreme Attacks on Iranian Healthcare Facilities: WHO Verifies 18 Strikes on Hospitals and Medical Infrastructure (probable) |
| Article 8(2)(e)(iv) | War crime — intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, provided they are not military objectives | extreme Destruction of Iranian UNESCO World Heritage Sites in US-Israeli Airstrikes (probable) |
| Article 8bis | Crime of aggression — use of armed force by one state against the sovereignty of another | severe First-Ever US Airstrikes in Nigeria: Christmas Day Tomahawk Strikes on Sokoto (potential) |
| Article 8bis | Crime of aggression — the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State | extreme Operation Absolute Resolve: Unilateral US Military Intervention in Venezuela (probable) |
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Convention Against Torture
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 1 | Definition and absolute prohibition of torture — severe pain or suffering intentionally inflicted by or at the instigation of a public official | extreme Torture and Enforced Disappearances at 'Alligator Alcatraz' and Krome Detention Centers (probable) |
| Article 12 | Obligation to ensure prompt and impartial investigation of acts of torture — removal of internal watchdogs degrades this investigative capacity | severe Mass Firing of Inspectors General Across Federal Government (enabling) |
| Article 16 | Prohibition on cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment | extreme Torture and Enforced Disappearances at 'Alligator Alcatraz' and Krome Detention Centers (probable)extreme Secret Deportation of 260+ Venezuelans to CECOT Mega-Prison (probable)major Executive Orders Targeting Transgender Rights and Gender Identity Recognition (potential) |
| Article 16 | Prohibition on cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment -- indefinite detention without judicial review | critical Systematic Elimination of Bond Hearings and Indefinite Immigration Detention (potential) |
| Article 16 | Cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment — expansion of capital punishment against the global trend toward abolition | major Federal Death Penalty Expansion and Discriminatory Application (potential) |
| Article 16 | Prohibition on cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment -- prolonged separation of children from parents | severe Family Separations and Prolonged Child Detention Under Immigration Enforcement (potential) |
| Article 3 | Non-refoulement — absolute prohibition on return to countries where there is risk of torture | severe Phase II Mass Deportation: Expansion to Workplace Raids and 92,000-Bed Warehouse Detention System (potential)critical Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to Accelerate Venezuelan Deportations (potential) |
| Article 3 | No State Party shall expel, return or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture | severe Secretive $7.5 Million Deal Deports 29 People to Equatorial Guinea's Authoritarian Regime (potential) |
| Article 3 | No state shall expel, return, or extradite a person to another state where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be in danger of being subjected to torture | severe Immigration Rocket Dockets: Mass Fast-Tracked Hearings and In Absentia Removal Orders (potential) |
| Article 3 | Absolute prohibition on transfer to countries where there is substantial risk of torture (non-refoulement) | extreme Secret Deportation of 260+ Venezuelans to CECOT Mega-Prison (probable) |
| Article 3 | Non-refoulement — no State shall deport a person to a State where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be subjected to torture | extreme Forced Disappearances of Salvadoran Deportees in El Salvador's Prison System (probable) |
| Article 3 | Non-refoulement -- prohibition on return to countries where individuals face risk of torture | severe Mass Termination of Temporary Protected Status Across 11 Countries (potential)severe Termination of CHNV Humanitarian Parole for 532,000 People (potential) |
| Article 3 | Non-refoulement -- deportation of Guevara to country where he faced threats for journalism | severe Systematic Attacks on Press Freedom: Journalist Arrests, Detention, and Deportation (potential) |
| Article 3 | Non-refoulement -- flights to countries with documented torture risks | severe Record Expansion of ICE Deportation Flights to 79 Countries (potential) |
| Article 3 | Absolute prohibition on transferring persons to states where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be subjected to torture | critical Secret Cameroon Deportation Agreement and Torture of Deportees (potential) |
| Article 3 | Non-refoulement -- absolute prohibition on return to a country where a person faces torture risk | critical Deportations to Haiti Despite Gang Control and Humanitarian Collapse (probable) |
| Article 3 | Non-refoulement, which requires meaningful assessment of torture risk -- impossible without fair hearings | severe Deportation Traps at Immigration Court Hearings and Systematic Denial of Due Process (potential) |
| Article 3 | No state shall expel a person to another state where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be in danger of being subjected to torture | severe Deportation of US Military Veterans (potential)severe Reimposition of 'Remain in Mexico' Migrant Protection Protocols (potential)severe Suspension of Asylum at the Southern Border (potential) |
| Article 3 | Non-refoulement — prohibition on return to countries where individuals face risk of torture | severe Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan Nationals (potential) |
| Article 3 | Non-refoulement — absolute prohibition on transfer to a country where there are substantial grounds for believing the person would be in danger of being subjected to torture | critical Kilmar Abrego Garcia Deported to El Salvador Despite Withholding Order (probable) |
| Articles 1, 16 | Prohibition on torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment -- shackling pregnant women and denying medical care during miscarriage | critical Deportation and Medical Neglect of Pregnant Women in ICE Custody (probable) |
| Articles 1, 16 | Prolonged solitary confinement exceeding 15 days constitutes torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment per the UN Special Rapporteur | critical Surge in Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention (probable) |
Geneva Convention IV (Protection of Civilian Persons)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Articles 53, 147 | Prohibition on destruction of civilian property not justified by military necessity; extensive destruction as a grave breach | extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable) |
UN Charter
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Undermining the international rules-based order and multilateral institutions | severe Executive Order Sanctioning International Criminal Court Officials (enabling) |
| Article 1(2) | Principle of self-determination of peoples | major Military and Economic Threats Against Greenland and Panama Canal Sovereignty (potential) |
| Article 2(1) | Sovereign equality of all member states | severe Ukraine Minerals Coercion: Trump Demanded $500B 'Payback,' Humiliated Zelenskyy, Conditioned Aid on Deal (potential)major Colombia Deportation Standoff: Economic Coercion via Tariff Threats (potential) |
| Article 2(4) | Prohibition on the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state | extreme Trump Threats to Obliterate Iran's Civilian Power Infrastructure (probable)major Colombia Deportation Standoff: Economic Coercion via Tariff Threats (potential)major Military and Economic Threats Against Greenland and Panama Canal Sovereignty (potential)severe Naval Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Exports (potential) |
| Article 2(4) | Prohibition on the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state | severe First-Ever US Airstrikes in Nigeria: Christmas Day Tomahawk Strikes on Sokoto (potential)extreme Minab School Strike: US Tomahawk Cruise Missile Kills 175-180 Schoolgirls (probable) |
| Article 2(4) | Prohibition on the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state, absent Security Council authorization or self-defense | severe Operation Hawkeye Strike: Massive US Bombing Campaign in Syria (potential) |
| Article 2(4) | Prohibition on the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of any state | severe Ukraine Minerals Coercion: Trump Demanded $500B 'Payback,' Humiliated Zelenskyy, Conditioned Aid on Deal (potential) |
| Article 2(4) | All Members shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state — economic coercion through sanctions may constitute a threat | severe ICC Immunity Demands: Ultimatum to Amend Rome Statute and Exempt Americans from War Crimes Prosecution (enabling) |
| Article 2(4) | All Members shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state | extreme Iran War: Crime of Aggression — War Launched Without Congressional Authorization (probable)extreme Operation Absolute Resolve: Unilateral US Military Intervention in Venezuela (probable) |
| Article 24 | Security Council members have primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security | severe Repeated US Vetoes of UN Security Council Gaza Ceasefire Resolutions (enabling) |
| Article 26 | The Security Council shall formulate plans for the establishment of a system for the regulation of armaments | critical New START Treaty Expires: First Time Since 1970s With No Nuclear Arms Control (enabling) |
| Article 39 | Only the Security Council may determine the existence of a threat to peace and decide on enforcement measures | extreme Operation Absolute Resolve: Unilateral US Military Intervention in Venezuela (probable) |
| Article 39-41 | Unilateral coercive measures that cause humanitarian harm may violate the UN Charter when imposed outside of Security Council authorization | severe Intensified Cuba Sanctions Regime: Blackouts, Hospital Shutdowns, and Collective Punishment (potential) |
| Article 51 | Right of self-defense — limited to armed attack and subject to necessity and proportionality | severe First-Ever US Airstrikes in Nigeria: Christmas Day Tomahawk Strikes on Sokoto (potential) |
| Article 51 | Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs — the strikes were not in response to an armed attack on the United States | extreme Iran War: Crime of Aggression — War Launched Without Congressional Authorization (probable) |
| Article 51 | Self-defense applies only in response to an armed attack; Venezuela had not attacked the United States | extreme Operation Absolute Resolve: Unilateral US Military Intervention in Venezuela (probable) |
| Articles 100, 105 | Independence of UN personnel and privileges and immunities necessary for the exercise of their functions | severe Sanctions Against UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine (enabling) |
| Articles 55-56 | Obligation to promote higher standards of living, solutions to health problems, and universal respect for human rights through international cooperation | extreme Systematic Dismantlement of USAID and Global Humanitarian Consequences (enabling) |
ICCPR
UDHR
IAEA Safety Standards
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Nuclear power plant sites must never be the object of military attack | extreme Repeated Strikes Near Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Risk Radioactive Catastrophe (probable) |
Geneva Conventions
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Obligation to take precautions in attack, including intelligence necessary to distinguish military from civilian targets | severe DOGE Gutted State Department Energy Bureau Months Before Iran War |
| — | Protection of persons hors de combat; obligation to accept surrender | extreme Defense Secretary Hegseth Declares 'No Quarter, No Mercy' for Iran (probable) |
| — | Prohibition on killing shipwrecked persons who have ceased to be combatants or who refrain from hostile acts | extreme Operation Southern Spear: Lethal Drone Strikes on Caribbean and Pacific Drug Boats (probable) |
| Additional Protocol I, Article 35 | Prohibition on methods or means of warfare which cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering | extreme US-Supplied White Phosphorus Used Over Lebanese Civilian Areas (probable) |
| Additional Protocol I, Article 51 | Prohibition on indiscriminate attacks that are not directed at a specific military objective | extreme US-Supplied White Phosphorus Used Over Lebanese Civilian Areas (probable) |
| Additional Protocol I, Article 54 | Prohibition on attacking, destroying, or rendering useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population | severe Intensified Cuba Sanctions Regime: Blackouts, Hospital Shutdowns, and Collective Punishment (potential) |
| Article 18, Protocol I | Protection of medical units and transports — hospitals and medical facilities shall be respected and protected at all times | extreme Operation Rough Rider: US Killed More Civilians in 52 Days Than in Previous 23 Years in Yemen (probable) |
| Article 51, Protocol I | Protection of civilians from indiscriminate attacks and the effects of hostilities | severe First-Ever US Airstrikes in Nigeria: Christmas Day Tomahawk Strikes on Sokoto (potential) |
| Article 51, Protocol I | Protection of civilians against the effects of hostilities; prohibition on indiscriminate attacks | severe Operation Hawkeye Strike: Massive US Bombing Campaign in Syria (potential) |
| Article 54, Protocol I | Prohibition on attacking objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, including foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations, and irrigation works | extreme US Strikes on Ras Issa Fuel Port Kill 84+ Civilians in Yemen (probable) |
| Article 54, Protocol I | Prohibition on attacking objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population | extreme Operation Rough Rider: US Killed More Civilians in 52 Days Than in Previous 23 Years in Yemen (probable) |
| Common Article 1 | High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the Conventions in all circumstances — includes ensuring arms recipients comply with IHL | severe America First Arms Transfer Strategy: Human Rights Safeguards Removed From Weapons Exports (enabling) |
| Common Article 1 | States have an obligation to ensure respect for international humanitarian law — withholding aid to coerce concessions from a state under attack undermines this obligation | severe Ukraine Minerals Coercion: Trump Demanded $500B 'Payback,' Humiliated Zelenskyy, Conditioned Aid on Deal (potential) |
| Common Article 1 | High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention — continued arms transfers while violations are documented constitutes failure to ensure respect | extreme 2026 Lebanon War — US Weapons Complicity in Mass Civilian Casualties and White Phosphorus Attacks (probable) |
| Common Article 1 | High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances | severe Repeated US Vetoes of UN Security Council Gaza Ceasefire Resolutions (enabling) |
| Common Article 1 | Obligation to ensure respect for the conventions in all circumstances | extreme US Arms Transfers to Israel During ICJ Genocide Proceedings (probable) |
| Common Article 3 | Persons taking no active part in hostilities shall be treated humanely — includes prohibition on violence to life, cruel treatment, and neglect | critical Afghanistan Frozen Assets and Aid Termination: 22.9 Million Face Humanitarian Catastrophe (probable) |
| Common Article 3 | Persons taking no active part in hostilities shall be treated humanely; humane treatment includes access to medical care and food | severe Houthi FTO Redesignation Chills Humanitarian Operations for 19.5 Million Yemenis (enabling) |
| Common Article 3 | Prohibition on violence to life and person, including murder, of persons taking no active part in hostilities | extreme US Airstrike Kills 68 African Migrants in Yemen Detention Center (probable) |
| Common Article 3 | Prohibition on violence to life and person of those taking no active part in hostilities | severe Massive Escalation of US Airstrikes in Somalia with Zero Civilian Accountability (potential) |
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 11 | Right to an adequate standard of living — states must take steps to protect the population from foreseeable natural disasters | severe DOGE Guts National Weather Service: 30 Offices Lose Lead Meteorologists Ahead of Hurricane Season (enabling) |
| Article 11 | Right to an adequate standard of living — states must take steps to ensure the realization of this right, including through appropriate institutional frameworks | severe DOGE Shuts Down Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: 'CFPB RIP' (enabling) |
| Article 11 | Right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food | severe One Big Beautiful Bill: $1 Trillion in Medicaid Cuts and $295 Billion in SNAP Cuts (potential)extreme Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Global Energy and Food Security Catastrophe (enabling) |
| Article 11 | Right to adequate food — states must not take measures that impede access to food for civilian populations | severe Houthi FTO Redesignation Chills Humanitarian Operations for 19.5 Million Yemenis (enabling) |
| Article 11 | Right of everyone to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food | severe Intensified Cuba Sanctions Regime: Blackouts, Hospital Shutdowns, and Collective Punishment (potential) |
| Article 11 | Right to an adequate standard of living — destruction of disaster response capacity endangers lives and livelihoods during natural disasters | severe FEMA Dismantlement — Budget Cuts, Mass Layoffs, and Destruction of Disaster Response Capacity (enabling) |
| Article 11 | Right to an adequate standard of living — cutting infrastructure, health, and social service funding punishes entire populations | major Punishing Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Federal Funding Cutoffs and Lawsuits Against 29 States (enabling) |
| Article 12 | Right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health | severe One Big Beautiful Bill: $1 Trillion in Medicaid Cuts and $295 Billion in SNAP Cuts (potential) |
| Article 12 | Right to the highest attainable standard of health, including prevention and control of epidemic diseases | severe HHS Dismantlement Under RFK Jr. Fuels Worst Measles Outbreak in 30 Years (enabling) |
| Article 12 | Right to the highest attainable standard of health, including measures necessary for the improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene | severe FDA Food Safety Collapse: 3,500+ Staff Cut and Outbreak Investigation Capacity Gutted (enabling) |
| Article 12 | Right to the highest attainable standard of health — NIH and CDC budget cuts reduce research and services for disability-related conditions | major Systematic Rollback of Disability Rights Protections (enabling) |
| Article 12 | Right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health | severe Intensified Cuba Sanctions Regime: Blackouts, Hospital Shutdowns, and Collective Punishment (potential)extreme Systematic Dismantlement of USAID and Global Humanitarian Consequences (enabling) |
| Article 12 | Right to the highest attainable standard of health — rescission of the endangerment finding removes the legal basis for regulating pollutants that cause respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and premature death | severe Systematic Destruction of Environmental Protections — Paris Agreement, UNFCCC, and Endangerment Finding (enabling) |
| Article 12 | Right to the highest attainable standard of health — gutting emergency response threatens post-disaster health outcomes | severe FEMA Dismantlement — Budget Cuts, Mass Layoffs, and Destruction of Disaster Response Capacity (enabling) |
| Article 12 | Right to the highest attainable standard of health — chilling effect on healthcare access | severe Rescission of ICE Sensitive Locations Policy — Churches, Schools, and Hospitals Open to Raids (potential) |
| Article 12 | Right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health — restricting access to reproductive healthcare, including contraception and abortion services, impedes this right | major Restrictions on Reproductive Rights and Comstock Act Revival (enabling) |
| Article 12 | Right to the highest attainable standard of health — includes the obligation to take steps for the prevention, treatment and control of epidemic diseases | major US Withdrawal from the World Health Organization — Dismantling Global Pandemic Preparedness (enabling) |
| Article 13 | Right to education — states must ensure the full realization of this right through a system of schools and adequate teaching conditions | severe Education Department Dismantlement: $881M in Contracts Slashed, IES Eliminated, 50% Workforce Cut (enabling) |
| Article 13 | Right to education and the obligation that higher education shall be equally accessible — withdrawal of funding to coerce political compliance undermines equal access | major Coercion of Universities: Funding Freezes, Research Cuts, and Demands for Political Compliance (enabling) |
| Article 13 | Right to education — enforcement at schools deters attendance by children in immigrant families | severe Rescission of ICE Sensitive Locations Policy — Churches, Schools, and Hospitals Open to Raids (potential) |
| Article 13 | Right of everyone to education | extreme Systematic Dismantlement of USAID and Global Humanitarian Consequences (enabling) |
| Article 15 | Right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress — 24% NIH funding cut and termination of research grants impedes scientific advancement | major Coercion of Universities: Funding Freezes, Research Cuts, and Demands for Political Compliance (enabling) |
| Article 2 | Progressive realization of rights — withholding health, education, and social service funding causes retrogression in rights fulfillment | major Punishing Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Federal Funding Cutoffs and Lawsuits Against 29 States (enabling) |
| Article 2(1) | Obligation to take steps to the maximum of available resources toward progressive realization of rights, including through international assistance and cooperation | extreme Systematic Dismantlement of USAID and Global Humanitarian Consequences (enabling) |
| Article 6 | The right to work, including the right of everyone to the opportunity to gain their living by work which they freely choose or accept | severe DOGE-Directed Mass Firings and Forced Resignations of Federal Workers (enabling) |
| Article 7 | The right to just and favourable conditions of work | severe DOGE-Directed Mass Firings and Forced Resignations of Federal Workers (enabling) |
| Article 7 | Right to safe and healthy working conditions | severe OSHA Workplace Safety Dismantlement: 60+ Rules Rolled Back and 223 Inspectors Eliminated (enabling) |
| Article 8 | Right to form and join trade unions and the right to strike | major Suppression of Organized Labor: Union Busting, NLRB Destruction, and Collective Bargaining Revocation (enabling) |
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | States must substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information | severe DOGE Guts National Weather Service: 30 Offices Lose Lead Meteorologists Ahead of Hurricane Season (enabling) |
| — | States have the primary role to reduce disaster risk and should invest in disaster risk reduction for resilience | severe FEMA Dismantlement — Budget Cuts, Mass Layoffs, and Destruction of Disaster Response Capacity (enabling) |
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article VI | States must pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to the cessation of the nuclear arms race and to nuclear disarmament — undermining stockpile stewardship capacity threatens compliance | critical DOGE Fires 350 Nuclear Weapons Workers at NNSA, Including Pantex Warhead Assemblers (enabling) |
United Nations Convention against Corruption
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 12 | Prevention of corruption involving the private sector | severe CFPB Dismantlement While Musk Launches Competing XMoney Payment Service (enabling) |
| Article 18 | Trading in influence — abuse of real or supposed influence to obtain undue advantage | severe Musk's $38 Billion Government Contract Empire Untouched While Leading DOGE Cuts (enabling) |
| Article 5 | States shall develop and implement effective, coordinated anti-corruption policies that promote the participation of society and reflect the principles of the rule of law | severe DOGE Shuts Down Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: 'CFPB RIP' (enabling) |
| Article 7 | Public sector conflicts of interest — states must establish systems to prevent conflicts of interest among public officials | severe CFPB Dismantlement While Musk Launches Competing XMoney Payment Service (enabling) |
| Article 7 | Systems to prevent conflicts of interest among public officials | severe Musk's $38 Billion Government Contract Empire Untouched While Leading DOGE Cuts (enabling) |
| Article 8 | Codes of conduct for public officials — integrity, honesty, and responsibility | severe Musk's $38 Billion Government Contract Empire Untouched While Leading DOGE Cuts (enabling) |
Fourth Geneva Convention
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 18 | Civilian hospitals may in no circumstances be the object of attack, but shall at all times be respected and protected | extreme Attacks on Iranian Healthcare Facilities: WHO Verifies 18 Strikes on Hospitals and Medical Infrastructure (probable) |
UN Security Council Resolution 2286
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Condemns attacks against medical facilities and personnel in conflict situations and demands all parties comply with obligations under international humanitarian law | extreme Attacks on Iranian Healthcare Facilities: WHO Verifies 18 Strikes on Hospitals and Medical Infrastructure (probable) |
Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 7 | Exporting states shall assess the potential that arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law or human rights law | severe America First Arms Transfer Strategy: Human Rights Safeguards Removed From Weapons Exports (enabling) |
International Humanitarian Law
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | State responsibility to ensure that arms transfers do not facilitate violations of IHL — duty of due diligence | severe America First Arms Transfer Strategy: Human Rights Safeguards Removed From Weapons Exports (enabling) |
| — | Prohibition on indiscriminate weapons — cluster munitions scatter submunitions over wide areas, posing inherent risks to civilians | severe Pentagon Signs $210M+ Deal to Purchase Cluster Munitions From Israel (enabling) |
| — | Principle of distinction — the wide-area effect of cluster munitions makes distinction between military and civilian objects extremely difficult | severe Pentagon Signs $210M+ Deal to Purchase Cluster Munitions From Israel (enabling) |
| — | Principle of distinction — obligation to distinguish between combatants and civilians and between military objectives and civilian objects | severe First-Ever US Airstrikes in Nigeria: Christmas Day Tomahawk Strikes on Sokoto (potential) |
| — | Principle of precaution — obligation to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimize civilian casualties | severe First-Ever US Airstrikes in Nigeria: Christmas Day Tomahawk Strikes on Sokoto (potential) |
| — | Principle of proportionality — attacks must not cause civilian harm excessive to the military advantage gained | severe Operation Hawkeye Strike: Massive US Bombing Campaign in Syria (potential)extreme US Strikes on Ras Issa Fuel Port Kill 84+ Civilians in Yemen (probable) |
| — | Principle of distinction — parties must distinguish between combatants and civilians, and between military objectives and civilian objects | severe Operation Hawkeye Strike: Massive US Bombing Campaign in Syria (potential) |
| — | Obligation to take feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm during military operations | severe Operation Hawkeye Strike: Massive US Bombing Campaign in Syria (potential) |
| — | Prohibition on indiscriminate weapons — antipersonnel landmines cannot distinguish between combatants and civilians | severe Hegseth Reverses US Landmine Ban, Rescinds $5B+ Humanitarian Demining Program (enabling) |
| — | Principle of distinction — parties must distinguish between combatants and civilians at all times | severe Hegseth Reverses US Landmine Ban, Rescinds $5B+ Humanitarian Demining Program (enabling) |
| — | Prohibition on collective punishment — the civilian population may not be punished for acts they did not commit | critical Afghanistan Frozen Assets and Aid Termination: 22.9 Million Face Humanitarian Catastrophe (probable) |
| — | Principle of distinction — parties to a conflict must distinguish between civilian objects and military objectives | extreme US Strikes on Ras Issa Fuel Port Kill 84+ Civilians in Yemen (probable) |
| — | Principle of distinction — obligation to distinguish at all times between combatants and civilians, and between military objectives and civilian objects | extreme Operation Rough Rider: US Killed More Civilians in 52 Days Than in Previous 23 Years in Yemen (probable) |
| — | Principle of proportionality — attacks must not cause civilian harm excessive to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated | extreme Operation Rough Rider: US Killed More Civilians in 52 Days Than in Previous 23 Years in Yemen (probable) |
| — | Principle of precaution — obligation to take all feasible precautions to avoid and minimize civilian casualties | extreme Operation Rough Rider: US Killed More Civilians in 52 Days Than in Previous 23 Years in Yemen (probable) |
| — | Obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilian populations in need | severe Houthi FTO Redesignation Chills Humanitarian Operations for 19.5 Million Yemenis (enabling) |
| — | Prohibition on collective punishment — the civilian population may not be punished for the actions of armed groups operating in their territory | severe Houthi FTO Redesignation Chills Humanitarian Operations for 19.5 Million Yemenis (enabling) |
Arms Trade Treaty
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 6 | Prohibition on transfers where the state has knowledge that the arms would be used in the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes | severe America First Arms Transfer Strategy: Human Rights Safeguards Removed From Weapons Exports (enabling) |
| Article 6 | A State Party shall not authorize any transfer of conventional arms if it has knowledge at the time of authorization that the arms would be used in the commission of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes | severe Emergency Arms Sales to Gulf States: $23 Billion Bypassing Congressional Review (enabling) |
| Article 6 | State Party shall not authorize any transfer of conventional arms if it has knowledge that the arms would be used in the commission of attacks directed against civilian objects or civilians | extreme 2026 Lebanon War — US Weapons Complicity in Mass Civilian Casualties and White Phosphorus Attacks (probable) |
| Article 6 | States shall not authorize transfer of arms if they have knowledge the arms would be used in attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects | extreme US-Supplied White Phosphorus Used Over Lebanese Civilian Areas (probable) |
| Article 6(3) | Prohibition on transfers where knowledge exists they will be used in genocide or Geneva Convention violations | extreme US Arms Transfers to Israel During ICJ Genocide Proceedings (probable) |
| Article 7 | States must assess whether arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law or human rights law | severe Emergency Arms Sales to Gulf States: $23 Billion Bypassing Congressional Review (enabling) |
International Law Commission Articles on State Responsibility
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 16 | A state which aids or assists another state in the commission of an internationally wrongful act is internationally responsible if it does so with knowledge of the circumstances | severe America First Arms Transfer Strategy: Human Rights Safeguards Removed From Weapons Exports (enabling) |
Convention on Cluster Munitions (2008)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions. 111 states parties. Neither the US nor Israel has signed | severe Pentagon Signs $210M+ Deal to Purchase Cluster Munitions From Israel (enabling) |
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol II (Amended) | Restrictions on the use of mines, booby-traps, and other devices — requires self-destruction and self-deactivation mechanisms | severe Hegseth Reverses US Landmine Ban, Rescinds $5B+ Humanitarian Demining Program (enabling) |
| Protocol V | Obligations on explosive remnants of war — states must take precautions to minimize the risk to civilians from unexploded ordnance | severe Pentagon Signs $210M+ Deal to Purchase Cluster Munitions From Israel (enabling) |
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article VI | Each party undertakes to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament | critical New START Treaty Expires: First Time Since 1970s With No Nuclear Arms Control (enabling) |
| Article VI | Obligation to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race and to nuclear disarmament | severe Trump Orders Pentagon to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing, Breaking 33-Year Moratorium (enabling) |
International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (1996)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | The threat or use of nuclear weapons is generally contrary to the rules of international humanitarian law; states are obligated to conclude negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament | critical New START Treaty Expires: First Time Since 1970s With No Nuclear Arms Control (enabling) |
| — | States are obligated to pursue and conclude negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament; nuclear testing furthers the arms race in direct contradiction | severe Trump Orders Pentagon to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing, Breaking 33-Year Moratorium (enabling) |
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prohibits the development, testing, production, stockpiling, transfer, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons | critical New START Treaty Expires: First Time Since 1970s With No Nuclear Arms Control (enabling) |
UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable to protect life | critical ICE Agent Kills Renee Good, American Mother of Three, in Minneapolis (probable)critical Federal Agents Kill ICU Nurse Alex Pretti During Minneapolis Immigration Protest (probable) |
| — | Law enforcement officials shall not use firearms except in cases of imminent threat of death or serious injury — proportionality of force | severe Federal Protest Crackdowns: ICE Killing of Renee Good, Insurrection Act Threats, and Criminalization of Dissent (potential) |
UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 3 | Force may only be used when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of duty | critical ICE Agent Kills Renee Good, American Mother of Three, in Minneapolis (probable) |
| Article 3 | Force may only be used when strictly necessary and to the extent required for duty | critical Federal Agents Kill ICU Nurse Alex Pretti During Minneapolis Immigration Protest (probable) |
Ottawa Treaty (Mine Ban Treaty)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of antipersonnel mines. 164 states parties. The US has never signed but had been progressively aligning its policy with the treaty's goals | severe Hegseth Reverses US Landmine Ban, Rescinds $5B+ Humanitarian Demining Program (enabling) |
1951 Refugee Convention
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Obligation to investigate and punish trafficking and sexual exploitation of women | critical Epstein Files: DOJ Withholds Evidence, UN Experts Warn of Crimes Against Humanity (enabling) |
UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prevention, suppression, and punishment of trafficking in persons, especially women and children | critical Epstein Files: DOJ Withholds Evidence, UN Experts Warn of Crimes Against Humanity (enabling) |
Convention on the Rights of the Child
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse | critical Epstein Files: DOJ Withholds Evidence, UN Experts Warn of Crimes Against Humanity (enabling) |
| Article 22 | States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that a child who is seeking refugee status receives appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance | critical Midnight Deportation of 76 Guatemalan Children: Labor Day Weekend Mass Removal Attempt (potential) |
| Article 24 | Right of the child to the highest attainable standard of health | severe One Big Beautiful Bill: $1 Trillion in Medicaid Cuts and $295 Billion in SNAP Cuts (potential) |
| Article 24 | Right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness — states must combat disease and malnutrition | critical Afghanistan Frozen Assets and Aid Termination: 22.9 Million Face Humanitarian Catastrophe (probable) |
| Article 24 | Right of the child to the highest attainable standard of health and access to preventive health care | severe HHS Dismantlement Under RFK Jr. Fuels Worst Measles Outbreak in 30 Years (enabling) |
| Article 24 | Right of the child to health and to facilities for treatment of illness and malnutrition | severe Houthi FTO Redesignation Chills Humanitarian Operations for 19.5 Million Yemenis (enabling) |
| Article 24 | Right to the highest attainable standard of health, including pre-natal and post-natal health care for mothers | critical Deportation and Medical Neglect of Pregnant Women in ICE Custody (probable) |
| Article 24 | Right to the highest attainable standard of health and access to healthcare | extreme Systematic Dismantlement of USAID and Global Humanitarian Consequences (enabling) |
| Article 28 | Right of the child to education, with states making educational information and guidance available | severe Education Department Dismantlement: $881M in Contracts Slashed, IES Eliminated, 50% Workforce Cut (enabling) |
| Article 28 | Right to education — children in immigrant families afraid to attend school | severe Rescission of ICE Sensitive Locations Policy — Churches, Schools, and Hospitals Open to Raids (potential) |
| Article 3 | In all actions concerning children, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration | critical Midnight Deportation of 76 Guatemalan Children: Labor Day Weekend Mass Removal Attempt (potential) |
| Article 37 | No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily | critical Midnight Deportation of 76 Guatemalan Children: Labor Day Weekend Mass Removal Attempt (potential) |
| Article 6 | Right to life, survival, and development | extreme Systematic Dismantlement of USAID and Global Humanitarian Consequences (enabling) |
| Article 7 | Right to acquire a nationality from birth | major Executive Order Attempting to Restrict Fourteenth Amendment Birthright Citizenship (potential) |
| Articles 3, 22 | Best interests of the child; protection of child refugees | severe Reimposition of 'Remain in Mexico' Migrant Protection Protocols (potential) |
| Articles 3, 9, 37 | Best interests of the child; right not to be separated from parents against their will; protection from arbitrary detention | severe Family Separations and Prolonged Child Detention Under Immigration Enforcement (potential) |
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 33 | Non-refoulement: no contracting state shall expel or return a refugee to territories where their life or freedom would be threatened | severe Immigration Rocket Dockets: Mass Fast-Tracked Hearings and In Absentia Removal Orders (potential) |
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prohibits all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes. The US signed but never ratified; resuming testing would violate the treaty's object and purpose | severe Trump Orders Pentagon to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing, Breaking 33-Year Moratorium (enabling) |
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Obligation not to defeat the object and purpose of treaties | severe Sanctions Against UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine (enabling) |
| Article 18 | Signatory states are obligated not to defeat the object and purpose of a treaty they have signed, even if not ratified | severe Trump Orders Pentagon to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing, Breaking 33-Year Moratorium (enabling) |
| Article 52 | A treaty is void if its conclusion has been procured by the threat or use of force | severe Ukraine Minerals Coercion: Trump Demanded $500B 'Payback,' Humiliated Zelenskyy, Conditioned Aid on Deal (potential) |
| Article 52 | A treaty is void if its conclusion has been procured by the threat or use of force — coercing amendment of the Rome Statute through sanctions threats implicates this principle | severe ICC Immunity Demands: Ultimatum to Amend Rome Statute and Exempt Americans from War Crimes Prosecution (enabling) |
Customary International Law
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | The 33-year global moratorium on nuclear testing (maintained by all states except North Korea) has arguably crystallized into a norm of customary international law | severe Trump Orders Pentagon to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing, Breaking 33-Year Moratorium (enabling) |
| — | The principle of judicial independence requires that courts and their officials be free from external pressure and coercion in the exercise of their judicial functions | severe ICC Immunity Demands: Ultimatum to Amend Rome Statute and Exempt Americans from War Crimes Prosecution (enabling) |
United States Constitution
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 | Foreign Emoluments Clause: No person holding any office of profit or trust shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept any present, emolument, office, or title from any king, prince, or foreign state | major Trump Emoluments: Foreign Government Payments Through Business Deals, Gifts, and Cryptocurrency (potential) |
| Article II, Section 1, Clause 7 | Domestic Emoluments Clause: The President shall not receive any other emolument from the United States or any state during his term | major Trump Emoluments: Foreign Government Payments Through Business Deals, Gifts, and Cryptocurrency (potential) |
| Posse Comitatus Act (18 U.S.C. 1385) | Prohibition on the use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement unless expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress | severe Illegal National Guard Deployments to Los Angeles and Attempted Deployment to Chicago (potential) |
| Tenth Amendment | Powers not delegated to the United States are reserved to the States — including command of state National Guard forces absent federalization under constitutional authority | severe Illegal National Guard Deployments to Los Angeles and Attempted Deployment to Chicago (potential) |
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 5(e) | Right to public health, medical care, social security, and social services without discrimination | severe One Big Beautiful Bill: $1 Trillion in Medicaid Cuts and $295 Billion in SNAP Cuts (potential) |
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 11 | The right of everyone to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food — states must not take retrogressive measures that deprive populations of this right | critical Afghanistan Frozen Assets and Aid Termination: 22.9 Million Face Humanitarian Catastrophe (probable) |
UN General Assembly Resolution on Unilateral Coercive Measures
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Condemns measures that prevent the full realization of economic and social development, particularly of developing countries, and that affect their populations, in particular women and children | critical Afghanistan Frozen Assets and Aid Termination: 22.9 Million Face Humanitarian Catastrophe (probable) |
International Health Regulations (2005)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | States parties must maintain core public health capacities for surveillance and response to health emergencies | severe HHS Dismantlement Under RFK Jr. Fuels Worst Measles Outbreak in 30 Years (enabling) |
| — | Obligation to develop, strengthen, and maintain core capacity to detect, assess, notify, and report events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern | severe FDA Food Safety Collapse: 3,500+ Staff Cut and Outbreak Investigation Capacity Gutted (enabling) |
| — | Framework for international disease surveillance and response — US withdrawal undermines the system's capacity and reach | major US Withdrawal from the World Health Organization — Dismantling Global Pandemic Preparedness (enabling) |
Convention against Torture
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 3 | No state shall expel or return a person to a state where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be tortured | severe Pattern of Wrongful Deportations: US Citizens and Protected Individuals Removed Despite Court Orders (probable)severe CBP One App Shutdown: 30,000 Asylum Appointments Cancelled, 270,000 Stranded (potential) |
American Convention on Human Rights
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 22(8) | In no case may an alien be deported or returned to a country where his right to life or personal freedom is in danger | severe Pattern of Wrongful Deportations: US Citizens and Protected Individuals Removed Despite Court Orders (probable) |
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 26 | Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories, and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied, or otherwise used or acquired | severe Native American Tribal Sovereignty Violations: Executive Order Revoked, Clean Energy Funding Terminated, ICE Encroachment (potential) |
| Article 3 | Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination, including the right to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development | severe Native American Tribal Sovereignty Violations: Executive Order Revoked, Clean Energy Funding Terminated, ICE Encroachment (potential) |
| Article 4 | Indigenous peoples have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs | severe Native American Tribal Sovereignty Violations: Executive Order Revoked, Clean Energy Funding Terminated, ICE Encroachment (potential) |
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 1 | Definition of racial discrimination — any distinction based on race which has the purpose or effect of impairing human rights | severe White Afrikaner Refugee Program: 1,648 of 1,651 US Refugees Are White South Africans (potential) |
| Article 1 | Prohibition of racial discrimination including distinction based on national or ethnic origin | severe Expanded Travel Ban Targeting Up to 39 Countries, Predominantly Muslim and African Nations (potential) |
| Article 2 | States parties undertake to pursue a policy of eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms | major DOGE-Directed Elimination of Federal DEI Programs and Mass Firings of DEI Workers (enabling) |
| Article 2 | States shall not engage in any act of racial discrimination and shall ensure all public authorities and institutions act in conformity with this obligation | severe Systematic Racial Profiling in Immigration Enforcement and Wrongful Detention of US Citizens (potential) |
| Article 5 | Right to equal treatment before tribunals and organs administering justice, and the right to security of person and protection by the state against violence | severe Native American Tribal Sovereignty Violations: Executive Order Revoked, Clean Energy Funding Terminated, ICE Encroachment (potential) |
| Article 5 | Prohibition of racial discrimination in the enjoyment of civil and political rights | severe White Afrikaner Refugee Program: 1,648 of 1,651 US Refugees Are White South Africans (potential) |
| Article 5 | Right to equal treatment before law enforcement — prohibition on racial profiling in the administration of justice | severe Systematic Racial Profiling in Immigration Enforcement and Wrongful Detention of US Citizens (potential) |
| Article 5 | Non-discrimination in the enjoyment of the right to nationality | severe Mass Termination of Temporary Protected Status Across 11 Countries (potential) |
| Article 5 | Prohibition on racial discrimination in the right to leave and return to one's country and to nationality -- relevant to racially discriminatory allocation of refugee slots | severe Indefinite Suspension of US Refugee Admissions Program and Record-Low Resettlement Cap (potential) |
| Article 5(c) | Right to participate in elections — to vote and to stand for election — on the basis of universal and equal suffrage | severe Executive Order on Elections: Voter Suppression and Presidential Seizure of Election Administration (enabling) |
Helsinki Final Act
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Commitment to facilitate the freer and wider dissemination of information of all kinds and to encourage cooperation in the field of information | severe USAGM and Voice of America Broadcasting Dismantlement (enabling) |
UN Security Council Resolution 2216
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Humanitarian access to Yemen must be maintained | severe Houthi FTO Redesignation Chills Humanitarian Operations for 19.5 Million Yemenis (enabling) |
UN General Assembly Resolution 1803 (XVII)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Permanent sovereignty over natural resources — peoples may freely dispose of their natural wealth | severe Ukraine Minerals Coercion: Trump Demanded $500B 'Payback,' Humiliated Zelenskyy, Conditioned Aid on Deal (potential) |
Geneva Conventions Common Article 1
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances — interpreted as requiring states not to facilitate violations by third parties | severe Emergency Arms Sales to Gulf States: $23 Billion Bypassing Congressional Review (enabling) |
Arms Export Control Act
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Section 36 | Major arms sales require a 30-day congressional notification period during which Congress may block the sale through a joint resolution of disapproval | severe Emergency Arms Sales to Gulf States: $23 Billion Bypassing Congressional Review (enabling) |
Genocide Convention
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article I | Obligation to prevent and punish genocide | extreme US Arms Transfers to Israel During ICJ Genocide Proceedings (probable) |
| Article III(e) | Complicity in genocide is punishable — supplying arms to a party known to be committing genocide may constitute complicity | severe Emergency Arms Sales to Gulf States: $23 Billion Bypassing Congressional Review (enabling) |
| Article III(e) | Complicity in genocide | extreme US Arms Transfers to Israel During ICJ Genocide Proceedings (probable) |
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 14 | Liberty and security of the person — persons with disabilities shall not be deprived of liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily, and the existence of a disability shall not justify deprivation of liberty | major Systematic Rollback of Disability Rights Protections (enabling) |
| Article 19 | Living independently and being included in the community — the right to live in the community with choices equal to others | major Systematic Rollback of Disability Rights Protections (enabling) |
| Article 24 | Right to inclusive education and reasonable accommodations | severe Education Department Dismantlement: $881M in Contracts Slashed, IES Eliminated, 50% Workforce Cut (enabling) |
| Article 27 | Work and employment — right to work on an equal basis with others, including affirmative action measures | major Systematic Rollback of Disability Rights Protections (enabling) |
| Article 4 | General obligations to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights for persons with disabilities | major Systematic Rollback of Disability Rights Protections (enabling) |
United States Code
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| 18 U.S.C. § 208 | Criminal conflict of interest statute — prohibits government employees from participating in matters in which they have a financial interest | severe CFPB Dismantlement While Musk Launches Competing XMoney Payment Service (enabling) |
| 18 U.S.C. § 208 | Criminal conflict of interest — participation in matters affecting personal financial interest | severe Musk's $38 Billion Government Contract Empire Untouched While Leading DOGE Cuts (enabling) |
OECD Convention on Combating Bribery
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prohibition on public officials using their position for private financial gain | severe CFPB Dismantlement While Musk Launches Competing XMoney Payment Service (enabling) |
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 24 | Right of the child to the highest attainable standard of health, including provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking water | severe FDA Food Safety Collapse: 3,500+ Staff Cut and Outbreak Investigation Capacity Gutted (enabling) |
1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Extension of Refugee Convention protections without geographic or temporal limitation | severe CBP One App Shutdown: 30,000 Asylum Appointments Cancelled, 270,000 Stranded (potential) |
| — | Extends Refugee Convention obligations to all refugees regardless of date or origin of flight | severe Indefinite Suspension of US Refugee Admissions Program and Record-Low Resettlement Cap (potential) |
| — | Extends Refugee Convention obligations universally | severe Suspension of Asylum at the Southern Border (potential) |
American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article XXVII | Right of asylum in foreign territory | severe CBP One App Shutdown: 30,000 Asylum Appointments Cancelled, 270,000 Stranded (potential) |
ILO Occupational Safety and Health Convention (C155)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Obligation to formulate, implement, and periodically review a coherent national policy on occupational safety, occupational health, and the working environment | severe OSHA Workplace Safety Dismantlement: 60+ Rules Rolled Back and 223 Inspectors Eliminated (enabling) |
ILO Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention (C187)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Obligation to promote continuous improvement of occupational safety and health to prevent occupational injuries, diseases, and deaths | severe OSHA Workplace Safety Dismantlement: 60+ Rules Rolled Back and 223 Inspectors Eliminated (enabling) |
United Nations Convention Against Corruption
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 18 | Trading in influence — the promise, offering, or giving to a public official of any undue advantage to act or refrain from acting in the exercise of their functions | major Trump Emoluments: Foreign Government Payments Through Business Deals, Gifts, and Cryptocurrency (potential) |
| Article 19 | Abuse of functions — the performance of or failure to perform an act in violation of laws by a public official for the purpose of obtaining an undue advantage | major Trump Emoluments: Foreign Government Payments Through Business Deals, Gifts, and Cryptocurrency (potential) |
Hague Convention IV
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 23(d) | It is especially forbidden to declare that no quarter will be given | extreme Defense Secretary Hegseth Declares 'No Quarter, No Mercy' for Iran (probable) |
Lieber Code (General Order No. 100, 1863)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 61 | Troops that give no quarter have no right to kill enemies already disabled on the ground | extreme Defense Secretary Hegseth Declares 'No Quarter, No Mercy' for Iran (probable) |
1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 4 | Parties undertake to respect cultural property by refraining from any use of the property and its immediate surroundings for purposes which are likely to expose it to destruction or damage, and by refraining from any act of hostility directed against such property | extreme Destruction of Iranian UNESCO World Heritage Sites in US-Israeli Airstrikes (probable) |
UNESCO World Heritage Convention
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 6 | Each State Party undertakes not to take any deliberate measures which might damage the cultural heritage situated on the territory of other States Parties | extreme Destruction of Iranian UNESCO World Heritage Sites in US-Israeli Airstrikes (probable) |
Geneva Convention II (Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 18 | After each engagement, parties to the conflict shall take all possible measures to search for and collect the shipwrecked, wounded and sick | extreme Sinking of IRIS Dena: USS Charlotte Torpedoes Iranian Frigate Off Sri Lanka (potential) |
Geneva Convention II
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 12 | Members of the armed forces at sea who are wounded, sick or shipwrecked shall be respected and protected in all circumstances | extreme Sinking of IRIS Dena: USS Charlotte Torpedoes Iranian Frigate Off Sri Lanka (potential) |
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Freedom of navigation and innocent passage | severe Naval Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Exports (potential) |
| Article 98 | Duty to render assistance to persons in danger at sea | extreme Sinking of IRIS Dena: USS Charlotte Torpedoes Iranian Frigate Off Sri Lanka (potential) |
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Obligation to render assistance to those in distress at sea | extreme Sinking of IRIS Dena: USS Charlotte Torpedoes Iranian Frigate Off Sri Lanka (potential) |
Geneva Conventions Protocol I
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 54 | Protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population — including foodstuffs | extreme Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Global Energy and Food Security Catastrophe (enabling) |
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 38 | Right of transit passage through straits used for international navigation | extreme Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Global Energy and Food Security Catastrophe (enabling) |
Protocol III to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 2 | Prohibition on use of incendiary weapons against civilian populations — airburst white phosphorus over residential areas is unlawfully indiscriminate | extreme 2026 Lebanon War — US Weapons Complicity in Mass Civilian Casualties and White Phosphorus Attacks (probable) |
| Article 2 | Prohibition on making civilians the object of attack by incendiary weapons, and on using air-delivered incendiary weapons against military targets within concentrations of civilians | extreme US-Supplied White Phosphorus Used Over Lebanese Civilian Areas (probable) |
UN General Assembly Resolution 3314
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | A war of aggression is a crime against international peace — the Nuremberg Tribunal called it 'the supreme international crime' | extreme Iran War: Crime of Aggression — War Launched Without Congressional Authorization (probable) |
US Constitution
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article I, Section 8 | Congress shall have Power to declare War — the strikes were launched without congressional authorization or declaration | extreme Iran War: Crime of Aggression — War Launched Without Congressional Authorization (probable) |
War Powers Resolution
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Requires congressional authorization for sustained military operations — the administration has not obtained authorization | extreme Iran War: Crime of Aggression — War Launched Without Congressional Authorization (probable) |
| — | Congressional authorization required for sustained military operations | severe Naval Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Exports (potential) |
Geneva Convention IV
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Obligation to take constant care to spare civilians and civilian objects in military operations | severe Dismantlement of Pentagon Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Program (enabling) |
| Articles 18, 24, 50 | Protection of civilians, especially children; prohibition on attacking civilian objects | extreme Minab School Strike: US Tomahawk Cruise Missile Kills 175-180 Schoolgirls (probable) |
Charter of the Organization of American States
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 19 | No State or group of States has the right to intervene, directly or indirectly, for any reason whatever, in the internal or external affairs of any other State | extreme Operation Absolute Resolve: Unilateral US Military Intervention in Venezuela (probable) |
US War Powers Resolution
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| 50 U.S.C. 1541-1548 | Congressional authorization required for introduction of US Armed Forces into hostilities | extreme Operation Absolute Resolve: Unilateral US Military Intervention in Venezuela (probable) |
Pentagon Law of War Manual
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Protection of shipwrecked persons | extreme Operation Southern Spear: Lethal Drone Strikes on Caribbean and Pacific Drug Boats (probable) |
UN Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prohibition on extrajudicial killings | extreme Operation Southern Spear: Lethal Drone Strikes on Caribbean and Pacific Drug Boats (probable) |
| — | States must conduct thorough, prompt, and impartial investigations into all suspected extralegal executions | severe Massive Escalation of US Airstrikes in Somalia with Zero Civilian Accountability (potential) |
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prohibition on secret detention and enforced disappearance | critical Secret Cameroon Deportation Agreement and Torture of Deportees (potential) |
| — | Prohibition on secret detention without notice to families or lawyers | critical Kilmar Abrego Garcia Deported to El Salvador Despite Withholding Order (probable) |
| Article 2 | Prohibition on enforced disappearance: deprivation of liberty with concealment of fate or whereabouts | extreme Torture and Enforced Disappearances at 'Alligator Alcatraz' and Krome Detention Centers (probable) |
| Article 2 | Prohibition on enforced disappearance, defined as deprivation of liberty with concealment of fate or whereabouts | extreme Secret Deportation of 260+ Venezuelans to CECOT Mega-Prison (probable) |
| Article 2 | Enforced disappearance is the arrest, detention, or abduction of persons by agents of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or the fate or whereabouts of the person | extreme Forced Disappearances of Salvadoran Deportees in El Salvador's Prison System (probable) |
UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Rules 1, 43-46 | Basic standards for treatment of prisoners including prohibition on indefinite solitary confinement | extreme Secret Deportation of 260+ Venezuelans to CECOT Mega-Prison (probable) |
| Rules 43-46 | Prohibition on prolonged solitary confinement (exceeding 15 consecutive days) and on indefinite solitary confinement; both constitute torture | extreme Torture and Enforced Disappearances at 'Alligator Alcatraz' and Krome Detention Centers (probable) |
Inter-American Convention on Human Rights
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 13 | Freedom of thought and expression — prohibition on indirect methods of restricting communication, including abuse of government controls | major FCC Broadcast License Threats and Government Coercion of Media (enabling) |
| Article 13 | Freedom of thought and expression | severe Systematic Attacks on Press Freedom: Journalist Arrests, Detention, and Deportation (potential) |
| Article 17 | Right to family | severe Family Separations and Prolonged Child Detention Under Immigration Enforcement (potential) |
UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Principle 11: right to prompt judicial review of detention | critical Systematic Elimination of Bond Hearings and Indefinite Immigration Detention (potential) |
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 3 | Non-discrimination — states shall apply the Convention without discrimination as to race, religion, or country of origin | severe Expanded Travel Ban Targeting Up to 39 Countries, Predominantly Muslim and African Nations (potential) |
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 1 | The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish | severe Repeated US Vetoes of UN Security Council Gaza Ceasefire Resolutions (enabling) |
UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 33 | Non-refoulement: prohibition on expulsion or return to a country where life or freedom would be threatened | severe Third-Country Deportations to Rwanda, Ghana, and South Sudan (potential) |
UN Convention Against Torture
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 1 | Prohibition of torture, including severe suffering inflicted with the consent or acquiescence of a public official | extreme Secret $6 Million Contract to Outsource Detention to El Salvador's CECOT (probable) |
| Article 1 | Prohibition of torture, including severe physical or mental suffering intentionally inflicted by a public official | extreme Guantanamo Bay Immigrant Detention: Solitary Confinement and Torture Conditions (probable) |
| Article 16 | Obligation to prevent cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in territory under state jurisdiction | critical Record ICE Detention Deaths and Medical Care Payment Halt (enabling) |
| Article 3 | No state shall expel a person to another state where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be in danger of being subjected to torture | severe Third-Country Deportations to Rwanda, Ghana, and South Sudan (potential) |
| Article 3 | No state shall expel, return, or extradite a person to another state where there are substantial grounds for believing they would be in danger of being subjected to torture | extreme Secret $6 Million Contract to Outsource Detention to El Salvador's CECOT (probable) |
Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 51 | Prohibition on indiscriminate attacks that are not directed at a specific military objective | extreme US Airstrike Kills 68 African Migrants in Yemen Detention Center (probable) |
| Article 57 | Obligation to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimize civilian casualties | extreme US Airstrike Kills 68 African Migrants in Yemen Detention Center (probable) |
| Article 57 | Obligation to take constant care to spare civilians and take all feasible precautions | severe Massive Escalation of US Airstrikes in Somalia with Zero Civilian Accountability (potential) |
UN Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Guarantee of judicial independence from executive interference | severe Systematic Attacks on Judicial Independence and Defiance of Court Orders (enabling) |
| — | Independence of prosecution function from executive interference | severe Weaponization of the Department of Justice: Retaliatory Investigations and Prosecutions (enabling) |
Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 3 | State responsibility for torture committed by public servants | extreme Secret Deportation of 260+ Venezuelans to CECOT Mega-Prison (probable) |
UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Academic freedom — the right of scholars to pursue research, teach, and publish without interference, and institutional autonomy in governance, admissions, and curriculum | major Coercion of Universities: Funding Freezes, Research Cuts, and Demands for Political Compliance (enabling) |
UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients' causes; governments shall ensure that lawyers are able to perform their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, or improper interference | severe Executive Orders Targeting Law Firms Representing Trump's Opponents (enabling) |
Arms Trade Treaty norms
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Obligation to assess risk of arms being used in violations of international humanitarian law | severe Dismantlement of Pentagon Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Program (enabling) |
UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Rule 24 | Provision of health-care services is a State responsibility; prisoners should enjoy the same standards of health care available in the community | critical Record ICE Detention Deaths and Medical Care Payment Halt (enabling) |
| Rule 44 | Prolonged solitary confinement in excess of 15 consecutive days constitutes torture or cruel treatment | extreme Guantanamo Bay Immigrant Detention: Solitary Confinement and Torture Conditions (probable) |
| Rules 43-46 | Solitary confinement exceeding 15 consecutive days is prohibited; indefinite or prolonged solitary confinement constitutes torture | critical Surge in Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention (probable) |
ILO Convention 87
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise — workers shall have the right to establish and join organisations of their own choosing | major Suppression of Organized Labor: Union Busting, NLRB Destruction, and Collective Bargaining Revocation (enabling) |
ILO Convention 98
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining — workers shall enjoy adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination | major Suppression of Organized Labor: Union Busting, NLRB Destruction, and Collective Bargaining Revocation (enabling) |
ILO Convention 151
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Labour Relations (Public Service) — protection of public employees against acts of anti-union discrimination | major Suppression of Organized Labor: Union Busting, NLRB Destruction, and Collective Bargaining Revocation (enabling) |
| — | Protection of public employees against acts of anti-union discrimination and interference by public authorities | severe Schedule F Reclassification: Mass Removal of Civil Service Protections (enabling) |
OAS Charter
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 19 | No state may use or encourage the use of coercive measures of an economic or political character in order to force the sovereign will of another State | major Colombia Deportation Standoff: Economic Coercion via Tariff Threats (potential) |
Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Abolition of the death penalty — the international trend and commitment toward abolition | major Federal Death Penalty Expansion and Discriminatory Application (potential) |
Paris Agreement
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 2 | Holding the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees C — the US withdrawal undermines the collective effort | severe Systematic Destruction of Environmental Protections — Paris Agreement, UNFCCC, and Endangerment Finding (enabling) |
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 3 | Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations — the US withdrawal is unprecedented among major emitters | severe Systematic Destruction of Environmental Protections — Paris Agreement, UNFCCC, and Endangerment Finding (enabling) |
Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Principle 21 | States have the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction do not cause damage to the environment of other States | severe Systematic Destruction of Environmental Protections — Paris Agreement, UNFCCC, and Endangerment Finding (enabling) |
UN Convention Against Corruption
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Obligation to maintain effective, independent anti-corruption bodies | severe Mass Firing of Inspectors General Across Federal Government (enabling) |
| Article 30 | States shall ensure that the exercise of any discretionary legal powers relating to the prosecution of persons for corruption offenses is effective | major Systematic Pardons of Political Allies and Financial Criminals — $1.3 Billion in Victim Restitution Erased (enabling) |
| Article 33 | Protection of reporting persons — each State Party shall incorporate measures to protect against unjustified treatment of persons who report corruption | severe Dismantlement of Whistleblower Protections and Government Oversight Infrastructure (enabling) |
| Article 5 | Each State Party shall develop and implement effective, coordinated anti-corruption policies — systematic pardons of convicted corrupt officials undermine anti-corruption commitments | major Systematic Pardons of Political Allies and Financial Criminals — $1.3 Billion in Victim Restitution Erased (enabling) |
| Article 6 | Preventive anti-corruption bodies — states shall ensure independent oversight bodies can function without undue influence | severe Dismantlement of Whistleblower Protections and Government Oversight Infrastructure (enabling) |
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Article 12 | States shall ensure appropriate services in connection with pregnancy, confinement, and the post-natal period | critical Deportation and Medical Neglect of Pregnant Women in ICE Custody (probable) |
| Article 12 | States shall ensure access to health care services, including those related to family planning | major Restrictions on Reproductive Rights and Comstock Act Revival (enabling) |
WHO Constitution
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Preamble | The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest co-operation of individuals and States | major US Withdrawal from the World Health Organization — Dismantling Global Pandemic Preparedness (enabling) |
US Leahy Law
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| 22 U.S.C. 2378d | Prohibition on assistance to foreign security force units credibly implicated in gross human rights violations | extreme US Arms Transfers to Israel During ICJ Genocide Proceedings (probable) |
Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prohibition on rendering persons effectively stateless through mass status revocation | severe Mass Termination of Temporary Protected Status Across 11 Countries (potential)severe Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan Nationals (potential)severe Termination of CHNV Humanitarian Parole for 532,000 People (potential) |
| — | Obligation to grant nationality to persons born in territory who would otherwise be stateless | major Executive Order Attempting to Restrict Fourteenth Amendment Birthright Citizenship (potential) |
| Article 8 | Prohibition on depriving a person of nationality if it renders them stateless -- a stateless person was deported to a country where they have no nationality | critical Secret Cameroon Deportation Agreement and Torture of Deportees (potential) |
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Articles 16, 25 | Right to liberty and security; equal treatment in employment conditions | severe ICE Workplace Raids and Mass Arrests at Job Sites (potential) |
Torrijos-Carter Treaties (1977)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Recognized Panama's sovereignty over the Canal Zone; any US military action would violate the treaty framework | major Military and Economic Threats Against Greenland and Panama Canal Sovereignty (potential) |
Customary international law
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Prohibition on obstruction of international justice and intimidation of judicial officials | severe Executive Order Sanctioning International Criminal Court Officials (enabling) |
| — | Blockades are acts of war requiring formal declaration and are subject to the laws of armed conflict | severe Naval Blockade of Venezuelan Oil Exports (potential) |
First Amendment (US Constitution)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | ACLU successfully argued sanctions prevent Americans from communicating with the ICC | severe Executive Order Sanctioning International Criminal Court Officials (enabling) |
Posse Comitatus Act
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| 18 USC 1385 | Prohibition on use of the military for civilian law enforcement | severe Military Deployments at US-Mexico Border in Violation of Posse Comitatus Act (potential) |
Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946)
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Functional immunity of experts on mission for the United Nations | severe Sanctions Against UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine (enabling) |
UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Establishing the Human Rights Council and its Special Procedures mandate holders | severe Sanctions Against UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine (enabling) |
Yogyakarta Principles
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Application of international human rights law to sexual orientation and gender identity | major Executive Orders Targeting Transgender Rights and Gender Identity Recognition (potential) |
Inter-American Democratic Charter
| Article | Provision | Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| — | Commitment to democratic governance and the peaceful transfer of power | severe Blanket Clemency for January 6 Defendants, Including Violent Offenders (enabling) |
Data Exports
Download the full archive for offline analysis.