International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC or ICCt) is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal seated in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the first and only permanent international court with jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The ICC is distinct from the International Court of Justice, an organ of the United Nations that hears disputes between states.
International Criminal Court | |
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Official logo
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Parties and signatories of the Rome Statute State party
Signatory that has not ratified
State party that subsequently withdrew its membership
Signatory that subsequently withdrew its signature
Not a state party, not a signatory | |
| Seat | The Hague, Netherlands |
| Working languages | |
| Official languages | |
| Member states | 124 |
| Leaders | |
| Tomoko Akane | |
| Rosario Salvatore Aitala | |
| Reine Alapini-Gansou | |
| Karim Ahmad Khan | |
| Osvaldo Zavala Giler | |
| Establishment | |
• Rome Statute adopted | 17 July 1998 |
• Entered into force | 1 July 2002 |
Website www.icc-cpi.int | |
Established in 2002 pursuant to the multilateral Rome Statute, the ICC is considered by its proponents to be a major step toward justice, and an innovation in international law and human rights. However, it has faced a number of criticisms from governments and civil society groups, including objections to its jurisdiction, accusations of bias, Eurocentrism and racism, questioning of the fairness of its case selection and trial procedures, and doubts about its effectiveness.