Remarks by Diane Orentilcher

Authors

Diane Orentlicher, American University Washington College of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

Journal

American Society of International Law Proceedings

Volume

107

First Page

425

Last Page

427

Abstract

Twenty years into the contemporary era of international criminal tribunals, a large measure of consensus has developed (at least among states that fund tribunals) has developed around the notion that these courts should dispense justice only in respect of the most serious international crimes. This view is reflected in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), whose preamble affirms "that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished" and whose admissibility provisions direct the Court to dismiss a case on the ground that it "is not of sufficient gravity to justify further action by the Court."' As developed in practice, the notion of gravity serves several important functions but cannot by itself effectively guide the selection of cases to be prosecuted by the ICC.

Recommended Citation

Diane Orentlicher, Remarks by Diane Orentilcher, 107 American Society of International Law Proceedings 425 (2013).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/facsch_lawrev/2143