What is the International Criminal Court?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international tribunal that prosecutes individuals for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. The ICC is located in The Hague, Netherlands and operates independently of the United Nations. It is the first permanent, treaty-based court of its kind and is unique in that it has jurisdiction over individuals rather than over states. The ICC is not to be confused with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the primary judicial branch of the United Nations. The ICC is widely recognized as a legitimate judicial forum and is largely seen as a milestone in international law. In California, the International Criminal Court holds the same jurisdiction as domestic courts. As such, individuals who are accused of violations of international law may be tried and potentially convicted in the ICC. The ICC is responsible for investigating and prosecuting alleged crimes committed in all three of its practice fields. Examples of such crimes include genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The ICC has established procedures for prosecuting and punishing individuals who are found guilty of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Those found guilty are required to face life imprisonment or pay monetary fines, depending on the severity of the crime. The court has no authority to impose death penalties, however. The ICC is critical to ensuring that perpetrators of international crimes are brought to justice and held accountable. It is an important step in the ongoing effort to protect human rights and promote international law.

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What is the International Criminal Court?

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