The effectiveness of the International Criminal Court's work

The establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) held out the promise of a better future, as it was seen as signalling the end of impunity for the most serious crimes committed around the world. Some fifteen years after the Rome Statute came into force, it is appropriate to assess whether these hopes can be considered to have been fulfilled or are on the way to being fulfilled, by analysing the work of this court from the perspective of its effectiveness. Effectiveness is the quality of something that achieves its aim. It results from the appropriateness of the means chosen for that purpose. The aim pursued by the ICC is the prosecution of the most serious crimes. The legal means on which it relies to fulfil its mission include, amongst others, cooperation from States and referrals to the Court by the UN Security Council. However, these means prove to be limited in their implementation. Thus, this book, which opens with the stirring call for justice for all as sung by Tiken Jah Fakoly, concludes with an exhortation to reform the Rome Statute in order to adapt it to new circumstances.

The establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) held out the promise of a better future, as it was seen as signalling the end of impunity for the most serious crimes committed around the world. Some fifteen years after the Rome Statute came into force, it is appropriate to assess whether these hopes can be considered to have been fulfilled or are on the way to being fulfilled, by analysing the work of this court from the perspective of its effectiveness. Effectiveness is the quality of something that achieves its aim. It results from the appropriateness of the means chosen for that purpose. The aim pursued by the ICC is the prosecution of the most serious crimes. The legal means on which it relies to fulfil its mission include, amongst others, cooperation from States and referrals to the Court by the UN Security Council. However, these means prove to be limited in their implementation. Thus, this book, which opens with the stirring call for justice for all as sung by Tiken Jah Fakoly, concludes with an exhortation to reform the Rome Statute in order to adapt it to new circumstances.