ICC Member States: A List of Countries

Vonbon Hill

2 min read

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22-11-2024

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague, Netherlands. Established in 2002 by the Rome Statute, the ICC's primary purpose is to prosecute individuals for the most serious international crimes, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. Membership is crucial to the Court's effectiveness, as it signifies a state's commitment to international justice.

Understanding ICC Membership

It's important to distinguish between states that are party to the Rome Statute and states that are not. Being a party to the Rome Statute means a country has formally ratified the treaty, thereby accepting the ICC's jurisdiction. Non-party states are not bound by the Court's decisions. However, even non-member states can face ICC investigations under certain circumstances, such as if their citizens commit crimes within the territory of a member state, or if the UN Security Council refers a situation to the ICC.

A Comprehensive List (as of October 26, 2023)

Providing an exhaustive, constantly updated list within this format is impractical due to potential changes in membership. However, a significant number of countries are currently party to the Rome Statute. You can find the most up-to-date, official list of member states on the ICC's official website. This ensures you are consulting the most current information.

Key Considerations when reviewing this data:

• Ratification Process: The process of becoming a party to the Rome Statute takes time, and the exact number of member states may vary slightly depending on the source and when it was last updated.
• Withdrawal: States can withdraw from the Rome Statute, though this is a lengthy process with specific requirements outlined in the treaty itself.
• UN Security Council Referrals: The UN Security Council can refer situations to the ICC, even if the involved countries are not members. This aspect allows for a form of accountability even beyond the confines of the Rome Statute's membership.

Instead of providing an incomplete list here, focusing on the official ICC website ensures accuracy and allows for easy access to the most current data. This dynamic information is best sourced directly from the originating institution. Consulting the official ICC site is strongly recommended for any research or reporting concerning ICC membership.