International Justice Day: International Justice Day is celebrated every year on 17 July. The purpose of celebrating this day is to strengthen the international justice system, protect the rights of victims, prevent crimes and promote peace, security and rule of law in the world.
Its purpose is to increase awareness among the general public about punishing the culprits of serious crimes like war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide and providing justice to the victims.
The Rome Statute was adopted during a historic conference in Rome, Italy on 17 July 1998. Under this statute, the way was cleared for the establishment of the International Criminal Court i.e. ICC. After this, in a conference held in Kampala, the capital of Uganda on 1 June 2010, the Assembly of States Parties decided that 17 July would be celebrated as World International Justice Day.
The purpose of the ICC is to ensure justice in cases where a state is not able to impartially investigate and prosecute war crimes, genocide or crimes against humanity. The ICC acts not as an alternative to national courts but as a complement to them.
It is the world’s first permanent, independent and international justice authority that prosecutes individuals who have committed extremely serious crimes. Four major crimes fall under this – genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes to aggression.
The headquarters of this court is located in The Hague, Netherlands and it has been functioning since July 2002. Let us tell you that India has not yet signed the Rome Statute, hence it is not a member of ICC. In this regard, India believes that some sections of the ICC can become a hindrance to its national sovereignty, military action and internal security policies.
World International Justice Day makes people aware of the serious crimes that are becoming a threat to global peace, security and human rights. The day underlines the need for justice, accountability and rule of law. At the same time, it gives a message to the world that it is important to raise voice unitedly against any kind of injustice, violence and crime.
Seminars, conferences, awareness campaigns and discussions are organized across the world on this occasion. News media, social organizations and human rights organizations make people aware of the importance of international justice, human rights and peace. Organizations working against violence against women, genocide, war crimes and human rights violations also organize special programs on this day.
