Definition of the International Criminal Court

All kinds of heinous crimes have been committed in the 20th century. Among them, we can highlight those related to World War I and II, those committed in the former Yugoslavia or the genocide in Rwanda. It could be said that these situations have awakened the conscience of humanity. It is in this context that the International Criminal Court must be understood.

The International Criminal Court, whose seat is in the city of The Hague in the Netherlands, is a permanent court that has jurisdiction to try those crimes of extreme gravity and that attempt against peace, well-being and safety in the planet.

This court began its life in 1998 after being ratified by a total of 120 nations of the world.

The purpose of the International Criminal Court and its jurisdiction

Its main objective is to try those who have committed crimes that affect the international community, such as war crimes, genocide or crimes of It hurts humanity. The crimes that can be tried must have been committed after July 1, 2002. On the other hand, the International Criminal Court has jurisdiction over those crimes that have have been committed by a country made up of nations that have ratified the existence of said court.

However, if the United Nations Security Council refers to the court prosecutor a crime committed in the territory of a member state of the United Nations, the Criminal Court may accept that said crime be tried.

The International Criminal Court aims to complement national criminal justice systems

This court is not intended to replace the ordinary courts of Justice decade nation, but to complement them. Thus, when in a country a trial against humanity is not carried out, the International Criminal Court is entitled to act according to the legal principle of complementarity.

The different organs of the Court

The organs that make up the International Criminal Court are the following: the presidency, the chambers, the prosecution and the secretary. Each of them has specific functions. The presidency is made up of three magistrates (one is the president and two vice-presidents) who represent humanity in its work to deliver justice. The decisions adopted by the Court are made by the magistrates, who are organized into groups or chambers. (There are three types of rooms: for preliminary questions, for first instance cases and for appeals).

There are a total of 18 magistrates in the Court, who are elected by the states that are part of it. Of course, magistrates are selected on the basis of their integrity, impartiality and their worth. professional in legal matters.

At the same time, the selection of magistrates is carried out taking into account the different legal models existing in the international context and, on the other hand, with an equitable criterion between men and women, thus like a distribution equally equitable geographic location.

Photos: Fotolia - Niyazz / Bilan 3D