I think that ICC is a symbol of peace around the world. Though it is limited in what it actually is able to achieve, the existence of the court can be a deterrence for criminals. I think that the court's role in promoting peace is primarily in just branding and image-- though this goes hand in hand with the quality of prosecutions it executes, the media attention it receives around the world surrounding court orders, and the quality of its advocates. In addition, I'd like to point out that if the ICC was removed as an international peace symbol holding international criminals accountable, I think that the response would be negative. Though the speakers we've had so far have talked extensively about the downfalls of the court, I think that the fact that it is there as an institution, as a threat, and as a deterrence, can help the promotion of peace throughout the world.
William R. Pace
Convenor; Coalition for the ICC (CICC)
Comment on the Peace Lecture Question: “To what extent can the ICC advance peace around the world?”
I think that ICC is a symbol of peace around the world. Though it is limited in what it actually is able to achieve, the existence of the court can be a deterrence for criminals. I think that the court's role in promoting peace is primarily in just branding and image-- though this goes hand in hand with the quality of prosecutions it executes, the media attention it receives around the world surrounding court orders, and the quality of its advocates. In addition, I'd like to point out that if the ICC was removed as an international peace symbol holding international criminals accountable, I think that the response would be negative. Though the speakers we've had so far have talked extensively about the downfalls of the court, I think that the fact that it is there as an institution, as a threat, and as a deterrence, can help the promotion of peace throughout the world.