50 Facts About ICC

Founding and Jurisdiction of the ICC

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a cornerstone of global justice. It was established to hold individuals accountable for the gravest crimes. Let's dive into its origins and scope.

1. Founding of the ICC
   The ICC was founded on July 1, 2002, after the Rome Statute was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in July 1998. This statute is the ICC's founding treaty.

2. Jurisdiction and Crimes
   The ICC has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. It prosecutes individuals, not states.

Structure and Administration

The ICC's structure ensures it functions effectively and independently. Here’s a look at its key components.

3. Office of the Prosecutor
   The Office of the Prosecutor, led by Karim Khan, a British lawyer, is responsible for investigations and prosecutions.

4. Investigation Process
   Investigations can start through state referrals, UN Security Council referrals, or the Prosecutor's own initiative. A preliminary examination checks if there are reasonable grounds to proceed.

5. Venezuela Investigation
   In 2018, the ICC began a preliminary examination into Venezuela for alleged crimes against humanity. The investigation was formally opened in 2020 after a referral from six states parties.

Principles and Operations

The ICC operates under specific principles to ensure justice is served fairly and effectively.

6. ICC's Role in Complementarity
   The ICC complements national jurisdictions, stepping in only when states are unable or unwilling to prosecute serious crimes.

7. ICC's Structure
   Key organs include the Presidency, Chambers, and the Office of the Prosecutor. Judges are elected by the Assembly of States Parties for nine-year terms.

8. Language and Procedure
   The ICC operates in six official languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. Procedures are outlined in the Rome Statute.

Protection and Reparations

The ICC prioritizes the safety and dignity of victims and witnesses, ensuring they receive justice and support.

9. Protection of Victims and Witnesses
   Article 68 of the Rome Statute mandates measures to protect the safety, physical, psychological, and dignity of victims and witnesses.

10. Reparations to Victims
    The Trust Fund for Victims provides material and psychological assistance to help victims rebuild their lives.

Global Impact and Challenges

The ICC's reach and influence are global, but it faces significant challenges in its mission.

11. Global Reach and Impact
    The ICC addresses crimes worldwide, issuing verdicts and reparations to thousands of victims, holding high-level perpetrators accountable.

12. Challenges and Criticisms
    The ICC faces challenges like lack of cooperation from some states, limited resources, and criticism over its effectiveness.

Cases and Trials

The ICC handles numerous cases, from investigations to trials, ensuring justice for the most serious crimes.

13. Suspects and Accused
    There are 37 suspects of international crimes before the ICC, though the Court's website lists 27 cases with multiple suspects.

14. Convictions and Acquittals
    The ICC has secured three convictions: Thomas Lubanga, Germain Katanga, and Ahmad Al-Mahdi. Several acquittals include Thomas Ngudjolo, Jean-Pierre Bemba, Laurent Gbagbo, and Blé Goudé.

15. Ongoing Trials
    Currently, Bosco Ntaganda and Dominic Ongwen are on trial. Other pending cases include Al Hassan, Yekatom, and Ngaïssona.

16. Detentions and Summonses
    Three suspects are detained awaiting further proceedings: Al Hassan, Yekatom, and Ngaïssona. Several accused have appeared before the Court after receiving summonses.

17. Suspects at Large
    The exact number of ICC suspects at large is unclear, but some suspects may still be evading justice.

Prevention and Equality

The ICC's work helps prevent future crimes and promotes equality before the law.

18. ICC's Role in Preventing Crimes
    By setting a precedent for accountability, the ICC's investigations and prosecutions deter future atrocities.

19. Equality Before the Law
    The ICC prohibits immunity for individuals accused of grave international crimes, allowing prosecution of presidents, generals, and rebel leaders alike.

Victim-Centered Approach

The ICC ensures victims are central to the justice process, providing them with opportunities to participate and receive reparations.

20. Victim-Centered Approach
    Victims can participate in proceedings and receive reparations through the Trust Fund for Victims, ensuring they are at the forefront of justice.

21. Justice Standards
    The ICC provides fair, effective, and independent justice, adhering to high standards for grave crimes.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups

The ICC focuses on protecting women and children, addressing crimes committed against them during conflicts.

22. Protection of Women and Children
    The ICC leads efforts to prosecute those responsible for sexual and gender-based crimes and protects children during conflicts.

Global Support and Anniversaries

The ICC receives support from various international entities and commemorates significant milestones.

23. Global Support
    The European Union supports the ICC, encouraging all states to collaborate with it and uphold the Rome Statute.

24. ICC's Anniversary
    July 17 marks the anniversary of the Rome Statute's adoption, celebrating the ICC's commitment to justice.

Benefits and Challenges

The ICC offers numerous benefits but also faces ongoing challenges that require international support.

25. ICC's Benefits
    The ICC is a global court for the powerless, holding high-level perpetrators accountable and preventing future crimes.

26. ICC's Challenges
    Challenges include lack of cooperation from some states, limited resources, and criticism over its effectiveness.

Structure and Administration

The ICC's complex structure ensures it operates effectively, with various organs and elected judges.

27. ICC's Structure and Administration
    Key organs include the Presidency, Chambers, and the Office of the Prosecutor. Judges serve nine-year terms.

28. Language and Procedure
    The ICC operates in six official languages and follows specific rules of procedure and evidence outlined in the Rome Statute.

Protection and Reparations

The ICC prioritizes the safety and dignity of victims and witnesses, ensuring they receive justice and support.

29. Protection of Victims and Witnesses
    Article 68 of the Rome Statute mandates measures to protect the safety, physical, psychological, and dignity of victims and witnesses.

30. Reparations to Victims
    The Trust Fund for Victims provides material and psychological assistance to help victims rebuild their lives.

Global Reach and Impact

The ICC's reach and influence are global, but it faces significant challenges in its mission.

31. Global Reach and Impact
    The ICC addresses crimes worldwide, issuing verdicts and reparations to thousands of victims, holding high-level perpetrators accountable.

32. Challenges and Criticisms
    The ICC faces challenges like lack of cooperation from some states, limited resources, and criticism over its effectiveness.

Cases and Trials

The ICC handles numerous cases, from investigations to trials, ensuring justice for the most serious crimes.

33. Suspects and Accused
    There are 37 suspects of international crimes before the ICC, though the Court's website lists 27 cases with multiple suspects.

34. Convictions and Acquittals
    The ICC has secured three convictions: Thomas Lubanga, Germain Katanga, and Ahmad Al-Mahdi. Several acquittals include Thomas Ngudjolo, Jean-Pierre Bemba, Laurent Gbagbo, and Blé Goudé.

35. Ongoing Trials
    Currently, Bosco Ntaganda and Dominic Ongwen are on trial. Other pending cases include Al Hassan, Yekatom, and Ngaïssona.

36. Detentions and Summonses
    Three suspects are detained awaiting further proceedings: Al Hassan, Yekatom, and Ngaïssona. Several accused have appeared before the Court after receiving summonses.

37. Suspects at Large
    The exact number of ICC suspects at large is unclear, but some suspects may still be evading justice.

Prevention and Equality

The ICC's work helps prevent future crimes and promotes equality before the law.

38. ICC's Role in Preventing Crimes
    By setting a precedent for accountability, the ICC's investigations and prosecutions deter future atrocities.

39. Equality Before the Law
    The ICC prohibits immunity for individuals accused of grave international crimes, allowing prosecution of presidents, generals, and rebel leaders alike.

Victim-Centered Approach

The ICC ensures victims are central to the justice process, providing them with opportunities to participate and receive reparations.

40. Victim-Centered Approach
    Victims can participate in proceedings and receive reparations through the Trust Fund for Victims, ensuring they are at the forefront of justice.

41. Justice Standards
    The ICC provides fair, effective, and independent justice, adhering to high standards for grave crimes.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups

The ICC focuses on protecting women and children, addressing crimes committed against them during conflicts.

42. Protection of Women and Children
    The ICC leads efforts to prosecute those responsible for sexual and gender-based crimes and protects children during conflicts.

Global Support and Anniversaries

The ICC receives support from various international entities and commemorates significant milestones.

43. Global Support
    The European Union supports the ICC, encouraging all states to collaborate with it and uphold the Rome Statute.

44. ICC's Anniversary
    July 17 marks the anniversary of the Rome Statute's adoption, celebrating the ICC's commitment to justice.

Benefits and Challenges

The ICC offers numerous benefits but also faces ongoing challenges that require international support.

45. ICC's Benefits
    The ICC is a global court for the powerless, holding high-level perpetrators accountable and preventing future crimes.

46. ICC's Challenges
    Challenges include lack of cooperation from some states, limited resources, and criticism over its effectiveness.

Structure and Administration

The ICC's complex structure ensures it operates effectively, with various organs and elected judges.

47. ICC's Structure and Administration
    Key organs include the Presidency, Chambers, and the Office of the Prosecutor. Judges serve nine-year terms.

48. Language and Procedure
    The ICC operates in six official languages and follows specific rules of procedure and evidence outlined in the Rome Statute.

Protection and Reparations

The ICC prioritizes the safety and dignity of victims and witnesses, ensuring they receive justice and support.

49. Protection of Victims and Witnesses
    Article 68 of the Rome Statute mandates measures to protect the safety, physical, psychological, and dignity of victims and witnesses.

50. Reparations to Victims
    The Trust Fund for Victims provides material and psychological assistance to help victims rebuild their lives.

ICC's Impact on Global Justice

The International Criminal Court (ICC) stands as a beacon of hope for victims of the world's most serious crimes. Since its founding in 2002, the ICC has worked tirelessly to hold individuals accountable for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. By complementing national jurisdictions, the ICC ensures justice is served even when countries can't or won't act.

Despite facing challenges like limited resources and lack of cooperation from some states, the ICC has made significant strides. It has issued verdicts, provided reparations, and set a precedent for accountability. The Court's victim-centered approach and commitment to protecting women and children highlight its dedication to justice.

The ICC's ongoing efforts remind us that no one is above the law. Its work is crucial in the fight against impunity, making the world a more just place for all.