their crimes against humanity. While there is already a World Court known as the International Court of Justice, the outrageous acts of these leaders have fueled the move for a world institution with global jurisdiction over the most serious crimes against humanity. The ICC is structured in a manner to allow more accountability on the individual level as well, for “The World Court hears only lawsuits between governments and cannot prosecute individuals” (Cassel 533).
Thus, in 1998, the Rome Treaty on the ICC was formed and adopted, through the General Assembly of the United Nations, held in Rome. Historically, the United Nations has been responsible for securing universal respect for human rights and basic democratic freedoms of individuals throughout the world. The creation of the ICC was viewed as a decisive step in this direction, especially in light of contemporary acts of genocide that demonstrate man’s evil has no limits and is not particular to any time or place. The ideology behind the formation of the court is democratic and humanitarian-based. However, the main purpose for its formation is to be able to have the jurisdiction to try individuals as a direct deterrence to acts of genocide and other human rights violations. After a brutal century of barbarian leaders, the United Nations members recognized the need for holding individuals accountable. The Rome treaty begins with an appeal to help bring about global accountability and justice by ratifying the ICC treaty, in order for peace and justice to be the right of all the world’s peoples:
In the prospect of an ICC lies the promise of universal justice. That is the simple and soaring hope of this vision. We are close to its realization. We will do our part to see it through till the end. We ask you…to do yours in our struggle to ensure that no ruler, no State, no junta and no army anywhere can abuse human rights with impunity. Only then will the in...