Politics & the ICC Lecture Question
To what extent should the ICC Office of the Prosecutor consider or engage in politics to advance international justice?
Comment on the Politics Lecture Question: “To what extent should the ICC Office of the Prosecutor consider or engage in politics to advance international justice?”
On one side, the goal of the ICC is to bring those who have committed atrocious crimes to justice. However, on the other side, this process of arrests is but a means to the end of achieving global peace. While, obviously, arresting destructive individuals aids the process of peace, there are times where delaying or refraining from pursuing these individuals may be detrimental to political relations, and, in turn, global peace. When these situations occur, the ICC must remember to consider the net effect of their actions. In class, we discussed a situation where two people who are running for office might be prosecuted by the ICC. While I am unsure as to the specifics of the situation, I would posit that, if, by arresting the leader of a country, they through the country into turmoil, they are doing more harm than good.
Dr. Richard H. Steinberg
Professor of Law
Comment on the Politics Lecture Question: “To what extent should the ICC Office of the Prosecutor consider or engage in politics to advance international justice?”
On one side, the goal of the ICC is to bring those who have committed atrocious crimes to justice. However, on the other side, this process of arrests is but a means to the end of achieving global peace. While, obviously, arresting destructive individuals aids the process of peace, there are times where delaying or refraining from pursuing these individuals may be detrimental to political relations, and, in turn, global peace. When these situations occur, the ICC must remember to consider the net effect of their actions. In class, we discussed a situation where two people who are running for office might be prosecuted by the ICC. While I am unsure as to the specifics of the situation, I would posit that, if, by arresting the leader of a country, they through the country into turmoil, they are doing more harm than good.