What is the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent, international court located in The Hague, Netherlands. It is responsible for trying individuals accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. All of these crimes are specifically listed in the Rome Statute, the founding document of the ICC. The ICC was established in 2002 and currently has 124 member countries, including South Carolina. It was created as a permanent court to replace the ad-hoc tribunals that were created to deal with specific cases. By being independent, it is able to work independently of national governments, making sure cases are judged by international standards as opposed to national laws. The ICC is responsible for trying individuals on the international stage, but it does not automatically supersede the national systems of justice. If a country has a justice system that meets certain criteria, the ICC will not step in to try a suspect. Each country is responsible for prosecuting international crimes within their own borders, meaning that individuals accused of justice can be tried in their own countries first. By creating a permanent, independent court to try international crimes, the ICC helps ensure that justice is served and that persons are held accountable for their actions, no matter where the crime is committed. It is an important tool in the fight for global justice and helps to protect vulnerable people around the world.
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