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International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent international tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent international tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands. It investigates and, where warranted, prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression under the Rome Statute. The court was established by the Rome Statute adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2002.

History

The Rome Statute was adopted in 1998 and the ICC began operating in 2002 after the treaty entered into force. It was created as a permanent international criminal court rather than an ad hoc tribunal.

Mandate and jurisdiction

The ICC investigates and tries individuals accused of the gravest crimes of concern to the international community. Its jurisdiction covers genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

How it works

The court is designed to complement national legal systems, not replace them. It generally acts when national authorities are unwilling or unable to prosecute serious crimes.

Seat and administration

The ICC is seated in The Hague, Netherlands, and functions as an independent judicial body. It is governed by the Rome Statute and uses six official languages.

Key facts

  • The ICC is the world’s first permanent international criminal court.
  • It prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
  • The ICC operates on the principle of complementarity, acting when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute.
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Canadian context

Canada is a state party to the Rome Statute and has generally supported the ICC as part of the international justice system.

Frequently asked questions

What is the International Criminal Court?
The ICC is a permanent international criminal tribunal that prosecutes individuals for the most serious crimes under international law, including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.
Where is the ICC based?
The court is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
When was the ICC established?
The ICC was established by the Rome Statute in 1998 and became operational in 2002 when the treaty entered into force.
Does the ICC prosecute countries?
No. The ICC prosecutes individuals, not states.
What crimes fall under ICC jurisdiction?
The ICC’s core crimes are genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
How is the ICC different from national courts?
It is a court of last resort and acts only when national courts are unwilling or unable to genuinely investigate or prosecute.

References

  1. International Criminal Court — https://www.icc-cpi.int/about/the-court
    Supports: Official description of the court’s mandate, independence, location, and relationship to national courts.
  2. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights — https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/rome-statute-international-criminal-court
    Supports: Rome Statute text establishing the Court as permanent and complementary to national jurisdictions.
  3. International Criminal Court — https://www.icc-cpi.int/about/how-the-court-works
    Supports: Official explanation of the court’s jurisdiction over the four core crimes.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/International-Criminal-Court
    Supports: Background on establishment, purpose, and Hague seat.
  5. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/article/economy/factbox-key-facts-about-the-international-criminal-court-idUSL2616557/
    Supports: Concise fact summary on the ICC as a permanent tribunal for serious international crimes.
  6. International Criminal Court — https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/Publications/understanding-the-icc.pdf
    Supports: Official overview of the Rome Statute, jurisdiction, and the Court’s mandate.