What is the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in international relations?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent court established by the Rome Statute in 2002. It aims to bring justice to victims of the most serious crimes of international concern, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The ICC has a complementary role to national criminal jurisdictions, and is only intended to act when national authorities are unwilling or unable to prosecute crimes under its jurisdiction. It has no jurisdiction over crimes committed by individuals before its establishment in 2002.

The ICC's role in international relations is to contribute to the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern, which threaten the peace, security, and well-being of the world's population. The Court's work serves as a deterrent to would-be perpetrators, promotes accountability for crimes, and provides justice for victims.

The ICC is governed by the Rome Statute, which has been ratified by 123 states. The Court is independent and impartial, and operates under the principle of complementarity, meaning it only acts when national jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to do so. Its jurisdiction is limited to individuals, not states, and its mandate is focused on the most serious crimes of international concern. The ICC has faced criticism over its jurisdiction, with some arguing that it violates national sovereignty and is biased against certain countries.