The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (often referred to as the International Criminal Court Statute or the Rome Statute) is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC). It was adopted at a diplomatic conference in Rome on 17 July 1998 and it entered into force on 1 July 2002. As of 1 February 2012, 121 states are party to the statute. Among other things, the statute establishes the court's functions, jurisdiction and structure.
Under the Rome Statute, the ICC can only investigate and prosecute the core international crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression) in situations where states are unable or unwilling to do so themselves. The court can investigate crimes only in states that signed the Rome Statute unless authorized by the U.N. Security Council.
Read more about Rome Statute Of The International Criminal Court: History, Ratification Status, Review and Amendment
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