Mridusmita Baruah, Department of Law, Gauhati University
ABSTRACT
The International Criminal Court (ICC) brings individuals to trial who commit large-scale political crimes – genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. On the edifice of UN's special tribunals and on new legal precedents of universal jurisdiction, the ICC takes an important step towards global accountability for all, including political and military leaders. The Court, however, faces many difficult challenges, particularly in relation to the cooperation of states and its independence. The US, for instance, is still not a member of the ICC and the Court has faced fierce US opposition The Court has also been criticized by international observers and African leaders for applying double standards. They argue that it places undue focus on the African continent while neglecting human rights violations in western countries. Till date, ICC investigations have only been opened into the situations of African countries.
Keywords: ICC, UN peacekeeping, human rights, Security Council, Sudan, Kabuga, Dyilo, jurisdiction, reparation, trial chamber
