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You are here: Home Latest News What is the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
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WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC)?

News item | 01-07-2022 | 16:24

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the most important international
criminal court that deals with the gravest, unpunished international crimes,
such as genocide and war crimes. But what does the International Criminal Court
do? And why is the International Criminal Court located in The Hague? We'll
explain all of this below.

Enlarge image Enlarge image What you should know about the International
Criminal Court


WHAT DOES THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT DO?

Since 2002, the International Criminal Court has been investigating, prosecuting
and trying individuals who have committed serious international crimes. The
International Criminal Court focuses on four main crimes:

 1. the crime of genocide: acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in
    part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.
 2. crimes against humanity: crimes against population groups within or outside
    the context of war, such as attacks on the civilian population, ethnic
    cleansing and sexual violence.
 3. war crimes: serious violations of the humanitarian law of war, committed
    against civilians or troops.
 4. the crime of aggression: the planning, preparation, initiation or execution
    of a war of aggression in a manner that breaches the Charter of the United
    Nations (UN).

It is important to know that the International Criminal Court does not replace
national courts. However, the ICC can intervene in cases where a country is
unable or unwilling to initiate criminal proceedings against possible
perpetrators of serious international crimes.

Put simply, the International Criminal Court aims to punish people who would
otherwise go unpunished, in order to obtain justice for victims and to deter
others from committing serious international crimes.


WHAT CRIMES FALL UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT?

The International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction is restricted; it covers only
the four crimes mentioned above. And only if they were committed on the
territory of one of the 123 States Parties to the Rome Statute, or were
committed by nationals of these states. In addition, the ICC has jurisdiction in
situations that have been referred to it by the United Nations Security Council.
This possibility is particularly relevant where the crimes were committed in a
state that is not party to the Rome Statute, as happened in Darfur (Sudan) and
Libya, for example.


WHY IS THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT LOCATED IN THE HAGUE?

The Hague is known as the legal capital of the world, and the international city
of peace and justice. Thousands of people in The Hague work in the field of
peace and security, at more than 130 international organisations, knowledge
centres, aid organisations and companies. Examples include the International
Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (both based in the Peace
Palace) and Europol. This means that there is a great deal of legal expertise in
the Netherlands and that The Hague plays an important role in international
justice.


HOW DOES THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT DIFFER FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF
JUSTICE?

See below for the most important differences and similarities between the
International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice:

International Criminal Court International Court of Justice Part of the United
Nations (UN)? No. The International Criminal Court is independent but cooperates
closely with the UN. Yes. The International Court of Justice is the principal
judicial organ of the United Nations. What is its aim? To try individuals who
are suspected of the crime of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or
the crime of aggression. To settle legal disputes between states, and to advise
the UN on legal questions. Where is it located? The Hague The Hague


THE WORLD’S ONLY PERMANENT INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

The International Criminal Court has been established for an indefinite period
and is not limited to a particular event or situation. This makes it the world’s
only permanent international criminal court dealing with the gravest unpunished
international crimes.

There are also temporary criminal courts – known as ad hoc tribunals – which are
often part of the UN and focus on one particular situation. Their role is to try
individuals who are responsible for grave violations of international law.
Examples of direct predecessors to the ICC are the International Criminal
Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (1993-2017), which was established in
response to the war in the former Yugoslavia, and the International Criminal
Tribunal for Rwanda (1994-2015), which was established following the Rwandan
genocide.


CASES AT THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

On the website of the International Criminal court you can find a list of all
current and closed cases, as well as an up-to-date overview of the most relevant
facts and figures.

If you would like to attend a hearing of the International Criminal Court,
please see the Court Calendar. Underneath the Court Calendar you can also find a
link to the ICC’s live web stream.


SECURITY AND JUSTICE

The International Criminal Court is working to create a safer and more just
world, by investigating serious crimes and trying the perpetrators. And
hopefully by deterring such crimes. What’s more, creating a more just world will
also make the Netherlands safer.

As a State Party to the Rome Statute and as the ICC’s host country, the
Netherlands supports the work of the ICC and other international organisations
in the Netherlands by helping to strengthen the international legal order. The
Netherlands also promotes the rule of law worldwide, under which not only
citizens but also governments are bound by laws. In other words, no country or
person is above the law.

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 * International organisations Topic
 * International peace and security Topic


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