HAGUE, Netherlands, June 29 (IPS) – The writer has been a Register of the International Criminal Court since April 2018. On July 1, 2022, the International Criminal Court (ICC) steps turned 20. Entered into force on 1 July 2002 of the ICC’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, which officially established the Court and marked the beginning of work towards building a public world more equal.
The Court was created with “millions of children, women and men” in mind, who “have been victims of unimaginable atrocities that deeply shake the conscience of humanity”. first
The ICC is the world’s first permanent, treaty-based international criminal court to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide and crimes of aggression comb.
Today, when we look to the future, one can ask: Can the Court fulfill the promises of the Rome Statute? The promise of justice for the most serious crimes. The promise of fair proceedings. And promises of integration for victims.
With the support of 123 Member States, from all continents, the ICC has established itself as a permanent, fair and independent judicial body. The court has 17 ongoing investigations into some of the world’s most violent conflicts such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Georgia, or Ukraine.
The court has ensured that the trial respects both the rights of the defense and the rights of the victim. More than 10,000 victims of atrocities have participated in the ICC proceedings. The ICC Victims Trust is currently executing the Court’s first order of compensation for victims of serious crimes. The Foundation has also provided physical and psychological rehabilitation as well as socioeconomic support to more than 450,000 victims through its assistance programs.
Courts have faced incredible challenges, not only due to the nature of crime or operations in conflict or post-conflict situations, but also the need for additional assistance, for example, in make arrests.
Despite the challenges, the Court responded with resilience and flexibility. Even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues to deal with trials, arrests, investigations, compensation and other operations.
Even as the Court is making progress in carrying out its mandate, serious violence is rapidly increasing. The ICC can only deal with a small number of cases concurrently and its resources are still limited.
Unlike national courts, the Court does not have its own police. It depends on the cooperation of the States to investigate the cases and execute that State’s arrest warrant or appearance summons. It also has no territory to relocate witnesses at risk from their interactions with the Court. The ICC therefore relies heavily on the support and cooperation of States.
As we mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the ICC, countries around the world should renew their support for the Court in concrete ways. By providing political and financial support. By arresting suspects and freezing their assets. By passing legislation implementing the main provisions of the Rome Statute in national law.
By entering into voluntary cooperation agreements including arrangements for the relocation of ICC witnesses. Only the collective commitment of the international community can make the promises of the Rome Statute a tangible reality.
firstRome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Preamble.
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