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International Criminal Court faces trial drought

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently without any trials for the first time since its inception in 2006, following Italy’s decision to send a Libyan warlord back home instead of executing an arrest warrant. Danya Chaikel from the International Federation for Human Rights observed: “The lack of trials damages the court’s reputation,” as she emphasized the importance of the ICC’s role in prosecuting international crimes. Despite an annual budget of $200m and numerous pending arrest warrants, including for high-profile figures including Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, the court faces significant challenges. Countries such as Russia and Israel, for example, do not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, complicating efforts to apprehend suspects. Additionally, political motivations hinder member states from executing warrants.

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