Originally published on the CGS blog on November 11, 2009.
In the International Criminal Court’s short lifespan, its legitimacy has grown in leaps and bounds. The United States might not yet be a ratified member of the ICC, but our European friends and other allies around the world are members that are ready and willing to express their support of it to other countries.
Turkey extended an invitation to President of Sudan, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, for the Organization of the Islamic Conference meeting that was held in Istanbul, November 5-9th. President al-Bashir is currently indicted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Both Turkey and Sudan do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC. However, Turkey is receiving its fair share of international criticism. International NGOs such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have expressed their concern that al-Bashir was invited to attend the OIC meeting because of the injustices taking place in Darfur. As a potential candidate for accession into the European Union, Turkey is feeling the pressure the ICC wields. The European Union, supporter of the ICC, urged Turkey to rescind its invitation to al-Bashir. Even though the United States is not yet a member of the ICC, it recognizes the atrocities taking place in Sudan. Many are hopeful that the United States will soon see the importance and significance of joining the ICC to bring multilateral justice to situations that draw international attention.
As of October 2009, 110 countries are a part of the ICC that prosecutes criminals charged with the most heinous of crimes. The creation of an international legal body with authority over the most serious crimes that affect mankind is certainly a great achievement in international cooperation and justice. How can someone not be pleased that atrocious acts like war crimes, deemed unpardonable by everyone, are now judged and perpetrators are held responsible? The International Criminal Court sends the message that repulsive and monstrous crimes will not be tolerated by individual states or the international community anymore.
