The ICC

Question 1

The court

Answer 1

Investigates & tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
As a court of last resort, it seeks to complement, not replace, national Courts.

Question 2

The Crimes

Answer 2

1. The crime ofgenocideis characterized by the specific intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic, racial or religious group by killing its members or by other means.
2. crimes against humanity, which are serious violations committed as part of a large-scale attack against any civilian population.
3. war crimes which are grave breaches of the Geneva conventions in the context of armed conflict.
4. crime of aggression: use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, integrity or independence of another State.

Question 3

Jurisdiction

Answer 3

The Court may exercise jurisdiction in a situation wheregenocide,crimes against humanityor war crimes were committed on or after 1 July 2002. OR committed by a State Party national, or in the territory of a State Party OR the crimes were referred to the ICC Prosecutor.

Question 4

The prosecutor

Answer 4

The prosecutor has the power to select the situations he wants to prosecute.
If the situation has been referred to the prosecutor: free to open a case, conduct preliminary examinations, investigations.
If the prosecutor opens a case proprio motu, it will need to have approval of a preliminary chamber: prove that the event occurred after 2002 AND after the declaration of jurisdiction by the state + reasonable ground to believe that one of the crimes has occurred.

Question 5

Organization

Answer 5

Assembly of States Parties
Trust found for victims
International Criminal Court: the presidency + 18 judges + the office of the prosecutor.