About ICC

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent judicial body established by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998).
• It is an independent judicial body distinct from the UN.
• ICC investigates and tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
• The ICC was established as a court of last resort to prosecute the most heinous offenses in cases where national courts fail to act.
• It is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands .

Membership

•  Only those who ratified (123 countries) the Rome Statute are parties to ICC.
• Prominent countries that are not members include China, India, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Qatar and Israel.
• The USA and Russia had signed the treaty but did not ratify it.

Why in News?

• Human rights groups have requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to send a warning to Israel against carrying out potential war crimes as heavy bombardment of Gaza continues.

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/10/18/could-a-warning-by-the-icc-chief-prosecutor-deter-war-crimes-in-gaza