International Criminal Court

International Criminal Court

About

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent international court established in 2002 following the adoption of the Rome Statute (1998). 
• It is an independent judicial body distinct from the UN. 
• The ICC was established as a court of last resort to prosecute the most heinous offenses in cases where national courts fail to act. 
• Unlike the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which hears disputes between states, the ICC handles prosecutions of individuals.  
  • ICC investigates and tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. 
    • Refer SCA Prelims Magazine December Edition for details about ICJ. 
• ICC is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.

About

• The Court may exercise jurisdiction in a situation where genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes were committed on or after 1 July 2002 (when Rome Statute entered into force) and: 
  • the crimes were committed by a State Party national, or in the territory of a State Party, or in a State that has accepted the jurisdiction of the Court; or 
  • the crimes were referred to the ICC Prosecutor by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Membership:

• Only those who ratified (125 countries) the Rome Statute are parties to ICC. 
  • Prominent countries that are not members include the United States, Russia, China, India, Israel, Turkey, Pakistan, etc.