The Criminal Code of Cabo Verde (Legislative Decree No. 4/2003) establishes a comprehensive framework for criminal liability, with a strong emphasis on the repression of serious violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and the protection of fundamental human interests during armed conflict. Its primary objective is to incorporate into domestic law a set of offences aligned with international standards, including war crimes such as wilful killing, torture, inhuman treatment, and attacks against protected persons and property. The Code defines individual criminal responsibility and provides for significant custodial penalties, thereby reinforcing the obligation of the State to prosecute grave breaches of humanitarian law and contribute to the prevention of impunity. In addition, the Code regulates the means and methods of warfare, prohibiting actions that cause unnecessary suffering or involve indiscriminate attacks, including those affecting civilian populations and civilian objects. These provisions implicitly extend to the protection of the environment in situations of armed conflict, as restrictions on destructive methods and attacks on protected property contribute to safeguarding natural resources and ecological systems from excessive damage. Through these rules, the Code promotes the broader objective of preserving human dignity and environmental integrity, aligning national criminal legislation with evolving norms on the protection of both civilians and the environment under international law.
Cabo Verde · 2004-05-01