What is the International Criminal Court?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental court based in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the first permanent international tribunal to prosecute individuals for the most serious of crimes against humanity such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The ICC is independent from individual countries and is not subject to the laws of any country. This court was established as part of the Rome Statute in 1998, which is a treaty that is signed by over 120 countries, including the United States. As such, the ICC is not a ‘court of last resort’ and will only intervene when national courts fail to investigate or prosecute individuals accused of these crimes. The ICC’s purpose is to complement existing national judicial systems in order to end impunity for those accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It seeks to prosecute those accused of the worst of human rights violations, regardless of their political or economic power. This court is particularly important for addressing human rights abuses in countries where the rule of law may not be sufficiently strong or where local courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute these crimes. The ICC has made a significant contribution to international justice, providing a much needed forum for justice and accountability. It is an important institution that can be used to uphold the human rights of individuals around the world, and it is particularly relevant for Indiana, where the protection of human rights is essential.
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