| Title |
INTERNATIONAL
JUSTICE DAY - a.k.a. WORLD DAY FOR
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE - a.k.a. DAY FOR
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE |
|
Date-wise Events |
July 17, Every Year |
|
Objective |
An effort to
recognize the emerging system of international criminal justice. |
|
Description |
- July 17 was chosen as the date for celebration of this
day, because it is the anniversary of the adoption of the
Rome Statute, the treaty that created the International
Criminal Court. The Rome Statute was adopted at a diplomatic
conference in Rome on 17 July 1998 and it
went into force on 1 July 2002. As of
1 May 2013, 122 states were party to the
statute. Among other things, the statute establishes the
court's functions, jurisdiction and structure.The Rome
Statute established four core international crimes:
genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime
of aggression.Under the Rome Statute, the ICC can only
investigate and prosecute the four core international crimes
in situations where states are "unable" or "unwilling" to do
so themselves.The court has jurisdiction over crimes only if
they are committed in the territory of a state party or if
they are committed by a national of a state party; an
exception to this rule is that the ICC may also have
jurisdiction over crimes if its jurisdiction is authorized
by the United Nations Security Council.
- People around the world use this day to host events to
promote international criminal justice, especially support
for the International Criminal Court.
- Amnesty International is working together with thousands
of other organizations to lobby governments worldwide to
create an international system of justice that complements
and reinforces national justice systems. Fact-finding
commissions document human rights abuses, provide victims
with a forum in which to speak out about the crimes
committed against them and help foster a climate of national
reconciliation.
- Universal jurisdiction is the principle that every
country has an interest in bringing to justice the
perpetrators of grave crimes, no matter where the crime was
committed, and regardless of the nationality of the
perpetrators or their victims.
- The international and internationalized tribunals try
individuals on the basis of their personal responsibility,
be it direct or indirect, and regardless of rank.
- Personal responsibility is an important international
development because it shields entire communities from being
labeled as collectively responsible for others' suffering,
thus paving the way for the reconciliation process within
war-torn societies.
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