Abstract The article argues that the International Criminal Court is facing unprecedented crisis, marked by political hostility, sanctions against its officials, and declining cooperation from states. Together, these pressures threaten not only the Court itself but the broader system of international criminal justice and the rule of law. It presents the Court as a historic achievement, rooted in earlier tribunals such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and inspired by the legacy of the Nuremberg Trials, while noting the uneven global commitment to its mandate. The author contends that recent attacks — particularly by powerful states — reflect a deliberate effort to delegitimize accountability mechanisms and reassert political control over justice processes. It further highlights the structural limitations, including the Court’s reliance on state cooperation and its lack of independent enforcement powers, which are compounded by insufficient funding and unrealistic expectations. These factors, it argues, undermine the Court’s effectiveness. Ultimately, the article warns of a broader erosion of international legal norms and underscores the urgent need for renewed commitment to transnational justice, accountability, and the preservation of hard-won postwar principles.
Howard Morrison KC (Sun,) studied this question.