International Justice Day commemorates the historic global efforts to end genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity and to recognize efforts to prosecute perpetrators of human rights abuses. This is also a day to celebrate the international community’s work to create a more just and peaceful world.
International Justice Day
On July 17, 1998, the international community adopted the Rome Statute which established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
July 17 is celebrated annually to honor the international community’s efforts to provide and enforce human rights law promoting global peace, security, and well-being. This day also commemorates other critically important achievements in holding parties accountable for atrocities in World War II and in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Cambodia.
The International Criminal Court
The ICC is the world’s only permanent international criminal tribunal. It is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, and is charged with investigating and prosecuting crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, aggression, and war crimes.
Some of the key features of the ICC
The adoption of the Rome Statute creating the ICC was a momentous step towards ending impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious international crimes. The ICC’s work enhances a future of peace and security for the global community.
To date, 122 countries have ratified the Rome Statute.
The United States was instrumental in the drafting of the Rome Statute, the document which created the ICC. The US has not yet ratified the Rome Statute but retains a strong positive relationship with the Court on an ad hoc basis.
Ad Hoc Tribunals
The United Nations established ad hoc international tribunals, building on the precedence set by criminal justice efforts of the Allies after World War II at the tribunals in Nuremberg, Tokyo, and elsewhere. These tribunals were designed to addresses very specific conflicts and cases that occurred during a specific time.