Global Justice Day: Upholding Rule of Law, Ending Impunity
The world Day of International Justice, celebrated on 17 th of July every year, is one of the most significant global events aimed at the maintenance of the rule of law.
World Day for International Justice Promotes Global Accountability and Human Rights
The world Day of International Justice, celebrated on 17 th of July every year, is one of the most significant global events aimed at the maintenance of the rule of law, observance of human rights, and accountability against the most insidious criminal activities on an international scale. It is a symbolic day that marks the passing of Rome Statute in 1998 which became a significant document that resulted in the formation of International Criminal Court (ICC).
The origin of World Day for International Justice can be traced back to the one realisation among the international community of the existence of acts that must be prosecuted unconditionally and condemned with one voice without regard to where a crime occurs and which specifically refer to genocide, war crimes, crimes against humankind, and the crime of aggression. The atrocious experiences of the 20 th century and especially the holocaust and other mass killings made an international institution quite necessary to prosecute the guilty people when the jurisdiction was not ready or not able to do so.
On 17 July 1998, 120 states at a diplomatic conference at Rome unanimously adopted the Rome Statute establishing the structure of the International Criminal Court. It is important to note that ICC officially came into operation in the year 2002 although the adoption of Statute was the focal point of this commemorative day. July 17 th was formally proclaimed as the World Day of International Justice in 2010 at the Kampala Review Conference.
This day has a complex meaning. To begin with, it sensitizes the world on the importance of international criminal justice in preserving peace and security. It emphasizes on the significance of prosecuting the perpetrators of mass atrocities thus preventing further atrocious acts and bringing up a framework of responsibility.
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Second, World Day for International Justice recognizes the victims and survivors of these crimes against humanity. It affirms their right to justice, truth, and reparations while recognizing the extent of their suffering. It promotes the work of the ICC and mechanisms for international justice, allowing room for victims’ voices to be heard and their pursuit of justice to be taken up.
Third, it underlines the principle of the rule of law in international relations. It promotes respect for international law and encourages states to ratify and implement the Rome Statute, providing a means to expand the reach and impact of international justice. It emphasizes cooperation among states to tackle transnational crime and to ensure that those who commit atrocities around the world have no safe haven.
Celebrations and events on World Day for International Justice frequently include conferences, seminars, events including educational and public awareness campaigns by states, international organizations, and civil society organizations and educational institutions. These events seek to improve the public’s understanding of the ICC’s mandate and its associated processes and the larger system of international criminal justice. The objective is to ensure that even when faced with challenging political realities, the pursuit of justice for all victims of grave crimes is a possibility.
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