Q. Consider the following statements:
1.A mercenary is a member of the armed forces of a party to the conflict.
2.Under the international humanitarian law (IHL), being a mercenary, itself does not constitute a specific crime.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation –
Statement 1 is incorrect. Mercenaries are not members of the armed forces of a party to the conflict. They are individuals who fight for a party to the conflict without being nationals of that party or a neutral state, nor motivated by ideals or for gain.
Statement 2 is correct. Under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), being a mercenary, itself does not constitute a specific crime. However, mercenaries can be prosecuted for violations of IHL, such as war crimes.
Source: The Hindu
