### Prosecuting Crimes Against Humanity: Roles and Responsibilities

**Introduction**
Crimes against humanity are serious offenses that include acts of murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, and other inhumane acts committed against any civilian population, before or during a war. The prosecution of these crimes is a critical element of international justice, aimed at holding perpetrators accountable and providing justice for victims. Depending on the jurisdiction and the specific legal framework in place, the responsibility for prosecuting these crimes can vary.

### Historical Context and Legal Frameworks
The concept of crimes against humanity has evolved significantly since its inclusion in the charter of the Nuremberg Trials following World War II. These trials were the first to prosecute key figures of the Nazi regime not just for conventional war crimes, but also for the systematic atrocities committed against civilians. This set a precedent for international law regarding individual criminal responsibility for egregious violations of human rights.

Today, crimes against humanity are addressed in several international treaties and national laws. The International Criminal Court (ICC), established by the Rome Statute in 1998, has jurisdiction over crimes against humanity when they are committed by nationals of signatory states or within the territory of signatory states and other conditions that warrant its intervention are met. However, the principle of complementarity of the ICC asserts that national courts should have the primary responsibility for prosecuting such crimes, stepping in only when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to prosecute.

### Answer A: National Prosecutors
Within the national context in countries like the United States, the individuals responsible for prosecuting criminal cases, including crimes that may be defined as crimes against humanity under national law, typically include district attorneys (DAs), county attorneys, or state's attorneys. Each operates within a specific jurisdiction—city, county, or state—and their roles and titles can vary by region.

- **District Attorney**: Generally, a district attorney is responsible for representing the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses in a specific district. They may take on high-profile crime cases or a broad spectrum of criminal violations, including those labeled under certain statutes as crimes against humanity, especially when committed in a localized area.
  
- **County Attorney**: Typically similar to a district attorney but may operate in some jurisdictions with slightly different responsibilities or in smaller or differently organized counties.
  
- **State's Attorney**: Generally has jurisdiction over a wider area than city or county prosecutors—sometimes statewide. Similar to DAs and county attorneys, state’s attorneys prosecute all sorts of criminal cases, potentially including crimes against humanity if defined under state law.

### Answer B: International Prosecutors
In the context of international law, ‘The Prosecutor’ generally refers to a specific position within an international court, like the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This role is fundamental in initiating investigations and prosecuting individuals accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.

- **The Prosecutor of the ICC**: This is a key position held by an individual elected by the states parties to the Rome Statute. The Prosecutor has the authority to initiate investigations and prosecute individuals when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so. This role is vital for enforcing international laws and ensuring that those responsible for severe crimes are held accountable on a global scale.

### Conclusion
The responsibility for prosecuting crimes against humanity can, thus, lie with various legal entities and individuals, depending on whether the context is national or international. Within nations like the U.S., local and state prosecutors like district attorneys, county attorneys, and state's attorneys may handle such cases under certain conditions. Internationally, specialized roles, particularly within frameworks like the ICC, are essential for addressing these severe crimes, emphasizing a cooperative approach between national and international systems to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.