On July 1, 2002, for the first time since the Nuremberg war crimes trials, a permanent International Criminal Court (ICC) was created to hold accountable those leaders responsible for major war crimes and crimes against humanity. On July 12, 2002, the United States badgered the Security Council of the United Nations into granting a limited exemption for American peacekeepers. Overwhelming protests from other nations reflected their opposition to any attempt to undermine the new court. Conservatives intent on destroying the new tribunal misstated the facts and have done a disservice to our nation and its military personnel.
The United States threatened to withdraw its peacekeeping forces unless the ICC was divested of any authority to try Americans. The main argument was that US military personnel might be subjected to politically motivated prosecutions by the new tribunal. The facts have been egregiously misstated. There is no such danger.
Only crimes committed after July 1, 2002, can be considered. Jurisdiction of the ICC is limited to genocide, crimes against humanity and major war crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. Surely, American soldiers do not intend to commit such crimes. 18 highly qualified judges, male and female, sworn to uphold the law and justice, will be elected from those many nations that have ratified the treaty creating the court.
The United States threatened to withdraw its peacekeeping forces unless the ICC was divested of any authority to try Americans. The main argument was that US military personnel might be subjected to politically motivated prosecutions by the new tribunal. The facts have been egregiously misstated. There is no such danger.
Only crimes committed after July 1, 2002, can be considered. Jurisdiction of the ICC is limited to genocide, crimes against humanity and major war crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. Surely, American soldiers do not intend to commit such crimes. 18 highly qualified judges, male and female, sworn to uphold the law and justice, will be elected from those many nations that have ratified the treaty creating the court.