International Criminal Court
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that investigates and prosecutes individuals for international crimes of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. The ICC is based in The Hague, Netherlands, and is independent of any national judicial system.
The History of the ICC
The idea of an international court to prosecute individuals for international crimes dates back to the aftermath of World War II. In 1945, the United Nations Charter established the Nuremberg Tribunal to prosecute Nazi war criminals. The Nuremberg Tribunal was followed by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, which prosecuted Japanese war criminals.
In the 1990s, the United Nations Security Council established two ad hoc tribunals to prosecute individuals for war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. These tribunals were successful in prosecuting a number of high-level war criminals, but they were also criticized for being slow and expensive.
In 1998, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Rome Statute, which established the ICC. The Rome Statute was ratified by 120 countries, and the ICC became operational in 2002.
The Jurisdiction of the ICC
The ICC has jurisdiction over individuals who have committed genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. The ICC can only prosecute individuals if their own country is unable or unwilling to do so.
The ICC has the power to investigate and prosecute individuals who are nationals of states that are not party to the Rome Statute. However, the ICC cannot prosecute individuals who are nationals of states that have made a declaration under Article 124 of the Rome Statute.
The Structure of the ICC
The ICC is composed of four main organs: the Assembly of States Parties, the Presidency, the Judicial Division, and the Office of the Prosecutor.
The Assembly of States Parties is the governing body of the ICC. It is composed of representatives from all states that are party to the Rome Statute.
