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The International Criminal Court was founded to prosecute the world鈥檚 worst crimes鈥攇enocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It has secured historic convictions, but its effectiveness is under scrutiny.

US opposition has been a long-standing challenge. Donald Trump previously rejected the ICC鈥檚 legitimacy, and now, early in his second presidential term, he has imposed sanctions on its top prosecutor. The move echoes past tensions but raises new concerns about the court鈥檚 ability to function under external pressure.

The ICC also relies on member states to arrest and transfer suspects. A recent case in Italy has highlighted the court鈥檚 enforcement difficulties, as Italian authorities deported a Libyan suspect instead of extraditing him to The Hague. Such incidents fuel questions about the ICC鈥檚 global authority.

Despite its high-profile cases, the court has only secured 11 convictions in 23 years. Its slow trials and high costs have drawn criticism, leading some to question whether reform鈥攐r even an alternative鈥攊s needed. But with 125 member states still backing its mission, is the ICC an institution the world can afford to lose?

Contributors:
Dr Viviane Dittrich, Deputy Director of the International Nuremberg Principles Academy in Germany
Gerry Simpson, Professor of International Law at the London School of Economics in the UK
鈥奟achel Kerr, Professor of War and Society at King's College London in the UK
鈥奙ark Kirsten, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada

Presented by Charmaine Cozier
Produced by Louise Clarke and Bara鈥檃tu Ibrahim
Editor Tara McDermott
Technical Producer Toby James
Production co-ordinator Liam Morrey

Image credit: Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images