International Criminal Court highlighted on World Day for Justice

July 17 is observed as the World Day for International Justice, marking the 1998 adoption of the Rome Statute that created the International Criminal Court (ICC). The day emphasizes the ICC’s role in prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression, operating under the principle of complementarity and relying on member states to enforce arrest warrants.

The ICC’s most high‑profile warrant currently targets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. The warrant bars the officials from entering the 125 ICC member nations, though the United States and India are not members and therefore not bound by the arrest requirement. The observance is marked worldwide by seminars, campaigns and educational events promoting accountability and the rule of law, with the Court headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.