Science of Technology

This is an old revision of the document!

ICC--Affirm

Deter human rights abuses
- The ICC can help deter would-be war criminals and other perpetrators of serious crimes.
Support the rule of law
- The ICC is a court of last resort that can help hold those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide accountable.
Promote global peace
- The ICC can help maintain the rules-based international order and prevent illegal warfare.
Support the U.S.-led international system
- Supporting the ICC can help ensure the long-term viability of the U.S.-led international system.
Supporting Resources

Constitutional issues
- The ICC would try U.S. citizens for crimes that are already under the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts, and without the protections of the Bill of Rights. The ICC's civil law system would also be foreign to U.S. traditions and standards, and would not include the right to a trial by jury.
Sovereignty
- Ratifying the ICC Treaty would be a surrender of U.S. sovereignty and the right to self-government.
Threat to national security
- The U.S. could face politically motivated charges from the ICC, and its enemies could file charges against U.S. officials for military actions or civilian deaths. The U.S. would also have to defend itself against frivolous charges, or face international pressure to prosecute its own officials.
Violation of consent
- The ICC grew out of a consensus across international society, but the U.S. did not join the Rome Statute that established it. International rules should only bind nations that consent to them.
Unfair application of the law
- The U.S. has supported the ICC's investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine, but has taken a different stance when it comes to an ally like Israel.
Supporting Resources
- Heritage Foundation
- The Casey Paper