Statute of the International Criminal Court

The Statute of the International Criminal Court (Rome Statute) is the legal framework that established the ICC, defining its jurisdiction, functions, and procedures. It outlines the crimes that the court can prosecute, including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. The statute also sets rules for how cases are handled, who can be tried, and under what circumstances. Countries that ratify the statute agree to cooperate with the court, ensuring accountability for serious international crimes. In essence, it creates a global judicial system to hold individuals accountable when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.