International Criminal Court (ICC)

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Let's take a closer look at the four questions from various sources, which you can draw on for your final copy.

RESPONSE:

1. Discuss and explain the ICC.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is seated at Hague in the Netherlands. It is governed by the Rome Statute, and is the first permanent international criminal court that is treaty-based. It was formed to help stop atrocities by the perpetrators of the most serious crimes occurring in the international community. It is an independent international organization. It is not part of the United Nations system. but maintains a supportive relationship with the UN. Financially, States Parties are the primary funding sources for the Court's expenses. However, funding also comes from voluntary contributions from other agencies, including international organizations, governments, corporations, individuals and other entities (http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC/About+the+Court/).

The Court is composed of four organs, including the Presidency, the judicial Divisions, the Office of the Prosecutor and the Registry (See more detail on the ICC at http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC/Structure+of+the+Court/). As it is treaty based (members must sign a treaty to become a member), and not all countries have joined the ICC, the Court has limited jurisdiction over individuals from other countries or people who have committed crimes in countries that have accepted the ICC, and only for the most extreme crimes. In fact, the Court only takes the cases when national systems are unwilling or unable to handle them. As well, the Court's prosecutor cannot take up an issue that has already been investigated by national authorities, even if they ultimately decide not to prosecute. (http://globalsolutions.org/files/general/what_20is_20icc.pdf)

In essence, the ICC aids in spreading democracy, human rights and law and orders. It does this by "requiring member countries to reform their laws and judicial systems to meet the ICC's high standards. For example, some countries have had to update their legal codes to more fully define rape as a crime and outlaw the trafficking of women and children" (http://globalsolutions.org/files/general/what_20is_20icc.pdf).

2. Discuss the history regarding the formation of the ICC.

The international community has long desired to the formation of a permanent international court, and, "in the 20th century, it reached ...