Definition of the Rome Statute

Justice is organized through organisms but in 1998 a supranational entity, the International Criminal Court, was created. Its headquarters are in the Dutch city of The Hague. The legislative framework that governs this institution it is contained in a document, the Rome Statute.

Main contents of the Statute

The preamble of the document indicates that the purpose of the International Criminal Court is to watch over the victims of any atrocity or crime that is committed.

Likewise, according to the provisions of the Statute, no state has legitimacy to intervene in the affairs of another state.

The International Criminal Court is an independent body associated with the United Nations. This institution exercises its jurisdiction in relation to crimes of maximum gravity with international projection.

This institution has jurisdiction over the following crimes: genocide, aggression, from It hurts humanity and of war. In the case of crimes against humanity, the following types of crime are included: slavery, murder, forced deportation, torture, forced prostitution or deprivation of liberty.

The Rome Statute emphasizes the right victims have to participate in the procedures judicial.

Central aspects of the International Court

In 1998 a total of 120 states adopted the Rome Statute and in this way the foundations of a supranational criminal justice were created. The main objective of this body is to combat impunity for those who have committed extremely serious crimes and who put into danger peace and stability of nations.

The Court was created as an institution of last resort and with the intention of complementing national justice systems. Thus, the Court intervenes only in those cases in which the states do not act against crimes.

Over the years, the Court has made decisions on momentous matters: convictions for acts of sexual violence and for acts of destruction of cultural property

The reparation orders issued by the Court are not directed against the states, but against individual convicted persons. In the event that the person responsible for a crime did not have economic resources To compensate the victims, reparations would be provided by a trust fund for the victims.

For the Court to be an effective institution in its procedures, it must have the collaboration of the states. This collaboration is essential to gather evidence, to protect witnesses and victims, or to arrest suspects.

Photo Fotolia: Corgarashu