Day of International Criminal Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) holds public hearings on the preliminary objections raised by Germany in the case concerning Alleged Breaches of Certain International Obligations in respect of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Nicaragua v. Germany) on 8 September 2026. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the UN, holds public hearings on the preliminary objections raised by Germany in the case concerning Alleged Breaches of Certain International Obligations in respect of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Nicaragua v. Germany) from Monday 7 to Thursday 10 September 2026 at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the Court. Session held under the presidency of Judge Iwasawa Yuji, President of the Court. First round of oral argument of Nicaragua. Related Sites and Documents:  See Press Release 2026/21 Watch THE HAGUE – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) holds public hearings in the case Nicaragua v. Germany! International Co...

ICC: Special session of the Assembly on disciplinary proceedings involving an elected official – Closure of the session. - Closure of the session Related Sites and Documents:  Webpage . Watch the ICC: Special session of the Assembly on disciplinary proceedings involving an elected official – Closure of the session! Meetings & Events

  Opening of the session - Silent prayer or meditation - Adoption of the agenda - Organization of work - States in arrears - Appointment of the Credentials Committee Related Sites and Documents:  Webpage Watch the ICC: Special session of the Assembly on disciplinary proceedings involving an elected official – Opening plenary! Meetings & Events

  The Day of International Criminal Justice marks the anniversary of the entry in force of the Rome Statute by the Assembly of State Parties. The Rome Statute is transforming lives, and international law, by creating a path to justice where no other path exists. Join us in Building a more just world!

As an international court, the ICC 's legal process may function differently from that in your national jurisdiction. The International Criminal Court (ICC) process involves a preliminary examination, investigation, and trial for crimes like genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. Cases are initiated by state parties, the UN Security Council, or the Prosecutor on their own initiative. Once an arrest warrant is issued and the accused is in custody, a pre-trial chamber confirms charges before a trial, after which both sides can appeal any verdict. 1. Preliminary Examination The Prosecutor's office begins by conducting a preliminary examination to determine if there is sufficient evidence and if the case falls under the court's jurisdiction. The ICC only investigates crimes that have occurred since its creation in July 2002. Jurisdiction can be based on the location of the crime (territory of a state party) or the nationality of the accused (a national...

 The Special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the review of the amendments on the crime of aggression will take place from 7 to 9 July 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States. Plenary Adoption of draft resolution Consideration of the report Report of the Credentials Committee Oral report of the Rapporteur Adoption of the report Closure of the session  "Crime of aggression means the planning, preparation, initiation or execution, by a person in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a State, of an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations." [Extract from RC/Res.6 "The Crime of Aggression" adopted at the 13th plenary meeting, on 11 June 2010] Related Documents:  RC/Res.6 "The Crime of Aggression" . Watch the (5th meeting) Special session of the Assembly of St...

The Special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the review of the amendments on the crime of aggression will take place from 7 to 9 July 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States. Plenary Progress report by the Coordinator Introduction of draft resolution  "Crime of aggression means the planning, preparation, initiation or execution, by a person in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a State, of an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations." [Extract from RC/Res.6 "The Crime of Aggression" adopted at the 13th plenary meeting, on 11 June 2010] Related Documents:  RC/Res.6 "The Crime of Aggression" . Watch the (4th meeting) Special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the review of the amendments on the crime of aggression!

The Special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the review of the amendments on the crime of aggression will take place from 7 to 9 July 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States. Lessons learnt from the Kampala amendments, ratification procedures and their implementation.  "Crime of aggression means the planning, preparation, initiation or execution, by a person in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a State, of an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations." [Extract from RC/Res.6 "The Crime of Aggression" adopted at the 13th plenary meeting, on 11 June 2010] Related Documents:  RC/Res.6 "The Crime of Aggression" . Watch the (3rd meeting) Special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the review of the amendments on the crime of agg...

  The Special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the review of the amendments on the crime of aggression will take place from 7 to 9 July 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States. Plenary. Continuation of the General debate.  "Crime of aggression means the planning, preparation, initiation or execution, by a person in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a State, of an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations." [Extract from RC/Res.6 "The Crime of Aggression" adopted at the 13th plenary meeting, on 11 June 2010] Related Documents:  RC/Res.6 "The Crime of Aggression" . Watch the (2nd meeting) Special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the review of the amendments on the crime of aggression!

The Special session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute on the review of the amendments on the crime of aggression will take place from 7 to 9 July 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States. Plenary Opening of the session Silent prayer or meditation Adoption of the agenda Statement by ICC President pre-recorded video Appointment of the Credentials Committee Organization of work States in arrears Status report on work of WGA by Coordinator General debate Meeting of the Credentials Committee "Crime of aggression means the planning, preparation, initiation or execution, by a person in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a State, of an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations." [Extract from RC/Res.6 "The Crime of Aggression" adopted at the 13th plenary meeting, on 11 June 2010] Rel...

  Watch the ICC Moot Court Competition 2025 – Winners announcement .

Genocide means an act committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. In particular, those specified acts are killing members of a group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of a group, imposing measures intended to prevent births within a group, or forcibly transferring children of a group to another group.

Crimes against humanity include acts committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with knowledge of the attack. Included in the list of prohibited acts are murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation or forcible transfer of a population, imprisonment, torture, acts of sexual violence, enforced sterilization, and other acts.

War crimes include grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and other serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in international armed conflict and in conflicts not of an international character listed in the Rome Statute, when they are committed as part of a plan or policy or on a large scale. Specifically prohibited are murder, mutilation, torture, taking of hostages, acts of sexual violence, creating child soldiers, and attacks on civilians, hospitals, and houses of worship.

Aggression refers to the planning, preparation, initiation or execution of an act of using armed force by a state against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another state. For this offense, this may include invasion, military occupation, and annexation by the use of force, blockade of the ports or coasts, if such an act is a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations. Additionally, the perpetrator must be a person who is in a position from which he or she can control or direct the political or military action of a state.

The International Criminal Court has jurisdiction over cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression. The ICC is separate from the United Nations, but the two organizations work closely together. Indeed, one way cases can end up before the ICC is when they are referred by the UN Security Council. Otherwise, cases must have taken place in the territory of a party state or committed by a national of a party state. Notably, except for the crime of aggression, the ICC can only prosecute individuals but not states or organizations. The Rome Statute also defines the procedures for investigations, prosecutions, and trials. However, the ICC only can hear cases if the crime was committed after July 1, 2002, when the Rome Statute came into effect. The Rome Statute also addresses issues such as admissibility and applicable law, trials, penalties, appeal and revision, international cooperation and judicial assistance, and enforcement. Regarding immunity, the ICC on...