COUNTERING THE EVIDENTIARY CHALLENGES IN ICC WAR CRIMES PROSECUTION

Author

Mausam Yadav, Sumit gurjar, Riya Garwal


Abstract

 The paper examines the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) prosecution of war crimes under the Rome Statute, following its historical growth and outlining major revisions that create the current framework of international criminal law. It covers the extensive extent of the Statute’s definition of war crimes, procedural protections, and jurisdictional principles meant to ensure justice and universal responsibility. The primary concern is the continuous obstacles the ICC encounters in prosecuting wartime atrocities. These include the high evidence standards necessary for conviction, problems in assigning command responsibility, political intervention, and logistical hurdles inherent in working within combat zones. The paper also discusses the crucial function of complementarity, assessing the complicated relationship between the ICC and national authorities, where insufficient cooperation from states often inhibits investigation and enforcement activities. By interacting with recent case law, the paper explains how these problems appear in reality, resulting in delayed or weakened prosecutions. Additionally, it evaluates contemporary reform measures aiming at boosting prosecution efficacy and strengthening enforcement through procedural innovations and increased international collaboration. The findings underline the necessity for a flexible and adaptive legal framework capable of addressing the shifting dynamics of modern armed conflicts. The paper closes by urging for continuous statute development and stronger global collaboration as conditions for preserving the ICC’s credibility and increasing its capacity to deliver justice. It claims that only by ongoing reform and dedication can international criminal justice institutions preserve the values of accountability and responsibility in the global order. 



Keywords

International Criminal Court (ICC), Rome Statute, War crimes prosecution, International criminal law, International-cooperation.



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References


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