The ICC

at a Glance

The International Criminal Court (ICC), were established to try crimes committed United Nations Security Council, whose
governed by the Rome Statute, is the first only within a specific time-frame and resolutions are binding on all UN member
permanent, treaty-based, international during a specific conflict, there was states, or if a State makes a declaration
criminal court established to help end general agreement that an independent, accepting the jurisdiction of the Court.
impunity for the perpetrators of the permanent criminal court was needed. On
The Court is intended to complement,
most serious crimes of concern to the 17 July 1998, the international community
not to replace, national criminal justice
international community. The ICC is an reached an historic milestone when 120
systems. It can prosecute cases only if
independent international organisation, States adopted the Rome Statute, the
national justice systems do not carry out
and is not part of the United Nations legal basis for establishing the permanent
proceedings or when they claim to do so
system. Its seat is at The Hague in the International Criminal Court. The Rome
but in reality are unwilling or unable to
Netherlands. Although the Court’s Statute entered into force on 1 July 2002
carry out such proceedings genuinely. This
expenses are funded primarily by States after ratification by 60 countries.
fundamental principle is known as the
Parties to the Rome Statute, it also receives
voluntary contributions from governments, Jurisdiction principle of complementarity.

international organisations, individuals, The Prosecutor can initiate an investigation

The ICC has jurisdiction over the
corporations and other entities. or prosecution in three different ways:
most serious crimes of concern to the
The international community has long international community as a whole, „„ States Parties to the Statute of
aspired to the creation of a permanent namely genocide, crimes against humanity the ICC can refer situations to the
international court and, in the 20th century, and war crimes, when committed after Prosecutor;
it reached consensus on definitions of 1 July 2002, as well as the crime of
„„ the United Nations Security Council
genocide, crimes against humanity and war aggression, as of 17 July 2018, under
can request the Prosecutor to launch
crimes. The Nuremberg and Tokyo trials specific conditions and procedures. Each
an investigation;
addressed war crimes, crimes against peace, of these crimes is clearly defined in the
and crimes against humanity committed Rome Statute and other relevant texts. „„ the Office of the Prosecutor may
during the Second World War. In the 1990s The Court may exercise jurisdiction over initiate investigations proprio motu
after the end of the Cold War, tribunals such international crimes only if they (on its own initiative) on the basis of
like the International Criminal Tribunal were committed on the territory of a State information received from reliable
for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda Party or by one of its nationals. These sources. In this case, the Prosecutor
were the result of consensus that impunity conditions, however, do not apply if a must seek prior authorisation from
is unacceptable. However, because they situation is referred to the Prosecutor by the a Pre-Trial Chamber composed of
three independent judges.

ICC-PIOS-FS-01-007/19_Eng
 The ICC at a Glance

No immunity
The Registry assists victims and witnesses to exercise their rights,
Acting in an official capacity as a head of state, member of
assists them throughout the judicial process and, if required, takes
government or parliament or as an elected representative or public
measures for their protection. The Court may order various types of
official in no way exempts a person from prosecution or criminal
reparation for victims which may include restitution, rehabilitation
responsibility. Superiors or military commanders may be held
and compensation.
responsible for criminal offences committed by persons under their
effective command and control or effective authority and control. The States Parties to the Rome Statute have established a Trust
However, the ICC cannot prosecute persons who were under the Fund for Victims and families of victims of crimes within the
age of 18 at the time a crime was allegedly committed. jurisdiction of the Court, to make possible some form of reparation
even when the convicted person does not have sufficient assets to
Rights of victims and accused make such reparation.

Under the rules and regulations governing the ICC, victims can Protecting the rights of the accused is essential to ensure a fair trial
send information to the Prosecutor concerning crimes within and effective justice. The Registry, which is responsible for defence
the jurisdiction of the Court. For the first time in the history of issues, has opened a list of counsel with a view to making sure that,
international criminal justice, victims have the right to participate in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, lawyers
in proceedings and request reparations. This means that they practising before the Court are competent and adhere to the Code
may not only testify as witnesses, but also present their views and of Professional Conduct for Counsel throughout proceedings. The
concerns at all stages of the proceedings. Participants may receive ICC provides logistical assistance and, if necessary, financial aid to
legal representation and, potentially, legal aid. defence teams.

The Presidency The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP)

The Presidency is comprised of the President and two Vice- The Office of the Prosecutor is headed by the Prosecutor, who is
Presidents. They are elected from among the 18 judges of the assisted by a Deputy Prosecutor. Both are elected by the Assembly
ICC. The Presidency is responsible for the proper administration of States Parties. The mandate of the Office is to receive and
of the Court, except for the Office of the Prosecutor. However, it analyse referrals and communications in order to determine
coordinates with and seeks the agreement of the Prosecutor on all whether there is a reasonable basis to investigate, to conduct
matters of mutual concern. The responsibilities of the Presidency investigations into genocide, crimes against humanity and war
also include judicial functions and external relations. crimes and to prosecute persons responsible for such crimes. The
OTP is an independent organ of the Court.

The Divisions The Registry

Eighteen judges make up the three Divisions of the Court: Pre- The Registry is a neutral ICC organ headed by the Registrar.
Trial, Trial and Appeals. Recognised for their high moral character Its core functions are to provide administrative and operational
and integrity, they are chosen from candidates from throughout support to the judiciary and to the Office of the Prosecutor. It
the world by the Assembly of States Parties, on the basis of their helps to service the Court and to develop effective mechanisms to
competence in criminal law and procedure or relevant areas of protect witnesses, assist the defence teams, as well as conducting
international law, such as international humanitarian law and outreach activities. The Registry is also responsible for general
human rights. The judges are responsible for ensuring that the court management, security, public information, court records,
trials are fair and that justice is properly administered. translation and interpretation, counsel support, support for victims
to participate in proceedings and apply for reparations, and much
more.

The Assembly of States Parties (ASP)

The Assembly of States Parties is the Court’s management oversight and legislative body and is composed of representatives of the States
which have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute. The Assembly of States Parties has a Bureau, consisting of a President, two Vice-
Presidents and 18 members elected by the Assembly for a three-year term, taking into consideration equitable geographic distribution and
adequate representation of the world’s principal legal systems. It has a permanent secretariat at the seat of the Court in The Hague. The
Assembly of States Parties makes decisions on various issues, such as the adoption of normative texts and the budget, the election of the
judges and the election of the Prosecutor and Deputy Prosecutors.

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This is not an official document. It is intended for public information only.

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