Tougher laws against beheadings

Australia is toughening its laws against outrages such as beheadings in places like Syria and Iraq.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan on Thursday introduced wide-ranging legislation to federal parliament that includes amending war crimes offences involving "violations of dignity of deceased persons in non-international conflict zones".

Existing law does not cover outrages - such as beheadings - against a person who is taking an active part in hostilities in such a zone before death.

The changes will clarify that the war crime of outrage against personal dignity applies regardless of whether the victim was active in hostilities before death.

The changes also clarify that a prosecution does not have to prove whether the victim was alive or dead at the time of the offence.