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?”
While it is inevitable that politics must be considered when taking actions, it is important that the ICC does its best to remain as apolitical as possible. The ICC must take a delicate position by both acknowledging political reality when considering its actions and simultaneously maintain its objectivity in order to assure its legitimacy and reputation. It is important to acknowledge the impact that politics may play, because by challenging states' authority the ICC will risk exposing its weaknesses in a counterproductive fashion. This especially in relationship to the apprehension of defendants. In the short term, the ICC should focus on the good it can do to the greatest effect. By securing its legitimacy in the short term, the ICC will strengthen its ethical and political reach and have the greatest opportunity to have a stronger position within politics in the future. Having the ICC too engaged in politics will also cause irreparable harm to its reputation. The ICC's focus on Africa has already biased some to dismiss it as a tool of Western oppression. Acknowledgement of political reality should not prevent the ICC from attempting to remain apolitical. It is important that the ICC carefully maintain this balance in order to be most effective in its mission.
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?”
While it is inevitable that politics must be considered when taking actions, it is important that the ICC does its best to remain as apolitical as possible. The ICC must take a delicate position by both acknowledging political reality when considering its actions and simultaneously maintain its objectivity in order to assure its legitimacy and reputation. It is important to acknowledge the impact that politics may play, because by challenging states' authority the ICC will risk exposing its weaknesses in a counterproductive fashion. This especially in relationship to the apprehension of defendants. In the short term, the ICC should focus on the good it can do to the greatest effect. By securing its legitimacy in the short term, the ICC will strengthen its ethical and political reach and have the greatest opportunity to have a stronger position within politics in the future. Having the ICC too engaged in politics will also cause irreparable harm to its reputation. The ICC's focus on Africa has already biased some to dismiss it as a tool of Western oppression. Acknowledgement of political reality should not prevent the ICC from attempting to remain apolitical. It is important that the ICC carefully maintain this balance in order to be most effective in its mission.