International Courts
International courts are judicial bodies that settle disputes between states or between states and individuals. They play an important role in resolving international conflicts and promoting the rule of law.
There are a number of different international courts, each with its own jurisdiction and procedures. The most well-known international court is the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The ICJ has jurisdiction to settle legal disputes between states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN organs and specialized agencies.
Other important international courts include the International Criminal Court (ICC), which prosecutes individuals accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes; the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which was established to prosecute those responsible for serious crimes committed during the Yugoslav Wars; and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which was established to prosecute those responsible for the Rwandan genocide.
International courts play an important role in promoting the rule of law and resolving international conflicts. They provide a forum for states to settle their disputes peacefully and in accordance with the law. They also help to deter aggression and promote respect for human rights.
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established in 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began its work in 1946. The ICJ is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
The ICJ has jurisdiction to settle legal disputes between states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN organs and specialized agencies. The ICJ is composed of 15 judges, who are elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations. The judges serve for nine-year terms and are eligible for re-election.
The ICJ has jurisdiction to settle legal disputes between states only if the states concerned have accepted its jurisdiction. States can accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ by making a declaration under Article 36 of the ICJ Statute. The ICJ also has jurisdiction to settle disputes between states that are parties to a special agreement, such as a treaty, that provides for the submission of disputes to the ICJ.
The ICJ has jurisdiction to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN organs and specialized agencies. The ICJ is not bound to give an advisory opinion on a question that it considers to be a political question.
The ICJ has a number of important functions. It settles legal disputes between states, gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN organs and specialized agencies, and promotes the development of international law.
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The ICC was established in 2002 by the Rome Statute, which has been ratified by 123 states.
The ICC has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for crimes committed on the territory of a state party or by a national of a state party. The ICC can also exercise jurisdiction if the Security Council refers a situation to the ICC.
The ICC is composed of three organs: the Pre-Trial Chamber, the Trial Chamber, and the Appeals Chamber. The Pre-Trial Chamber is responsible for authorizing investigations and issuing arrest warrants. The Trial Chamber is responsible for conducting trials. The Appeals Chamber is responsible for hearing appeals from the Trial Chamber.
The ICC has a number of important functions. It investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It also helps to deter these crimes and to promote respect for human rights.
International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
The International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was established by the United Nations Security Council in 1993 to prosecute individuals responsible for serious crimes committed during the Yugoslav Wars. The ICTY is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
The ICTY has jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions committed on the territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1 January 1991.
The ICTY is composed of a Prosecutor, a Registry, and a Chambers. The Prosecutor is responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases before the ICTY. The Registry is responsible for providing administrative and logistical support to the ICTY. The Chambers are responsible for conducting trials.
The ICTY has a number of important functions. It investigates and prosecutes individuals responsible for serious crimes committed during the Yugoslav Wars. It also helps to deter these crimes and to promote respect for human rights.