The United States and the International Criminal Court
“In the prospect of an international criminal court lies the promise of universal justice. That is the simple and soaring hope of this vision. We are close to its realization. We will do our part to see it through till the end. We ask you...to do yours in our struggle to ensure that no ruler, no State, no junta and no army anywhere can abuse human rights with impunity. Only then will the innocents of distant wars and conflicts know that they, too, may sleep under the cover of justice; that they, too, have rights, and that those who violate thus rights will be punished”( Establishment of an International Criminal Court http://www.un.org/law/icc/general/overview.htm).
- Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary General
Following the Second World War, the United Nations realized the need to take action in ending impunity from the horrible crimes that were occurring against humanity. One of the key objectives of the United Nations, since its inauguration, has been to secure “universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals throughout the world” (www.USAforICC.org ). Although the United Nations had a vision of creating an international criminal court in the late 1940’s, it was not until 1994 that a draft statute was drafted with regard to the International Criminal Court and it was not until July 1st 2002 that the International Criminal Court was actually formally instituted. Since the Court’s inauguration, 114 countries have both signed and ratified the Rome Statute, the statute that was drafted by the international community in a 1998 conference held in Rome (Lissitzyn, 27). Some of the most powerful countries in the world including the United States, India, and China have not fully ratified the Rome Statute. The United States did, in 2002, sign the Rome Statute, but ultimately withdrew its intent of ratification. The United States has many concerns with regards to the International... [continues]

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