Hostis Humani Generis Definition: Latin: the enemy of mankind. Related Terms: War Common enemies of all mankind. In Filartiga, Justice Irving Kaufman of the United States Court of Appeals wrote: "[F]or the purposes of civil liability, the torturer has become - like the pirate and slave trader before him - hostis humani generis, an enemy of all mankind." In Sentell, Justice Brown of the United States Supreme Court: "[A] ferocious dog is looked upon as hostis humani generis, and as having no right to his life which man is bound to respect." For example, pirates are often described as hostis humani generi, as are terrorists. REFERENCES: Filartiga v Pena-Iralam, 630 F. 2d 876 (1980) In re Piracy Jure Gentium 1934 A.C. 586 Sentell v New Orlasns & Carrollton Railway Co., 166 U.S. 698 (1897) Categories & Topics: Criminal Law Dictionary Dictionary of Latin Law Terms International Law Dictionary Military Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!