International Criminal Court (ICC)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent tribunal that prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It operates under the Rome Statute, which took effect in 2002, and is based in The Hague, Netherlands. Unlike the International Court of Justice, which handles disputes between states, the ICC focuses on individual criminal responsibility. It is not limited to a specific conflict or time period, distinguishing it from ad hoc tribunals like those for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.