International Justice Day 2020: History and Significance of the day

World Day for International Justice is observed on July 17 every year. The day is observed to give recognition to the emerging system of international criminal justice. It also is celebrated to recognise the work of the International Court of Justice.

New Delhi: With an aim to acknowledge the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and promote victim rights, International Justice Day is observed on July 17 every year. The day marks the importance of continuing the fight against impunity and bringing justice for the victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

This year's theme is 'Closing the Inequalities Gap to Achieve Social Justice'- which tells to uphold the principles of social justice while promoting gender equality, or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants.

History of the day

• This day marks the entry into force of the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court (ICC), which took place ten years ago in 2002.
• The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (often referred to as the International Criminal Court Statute or the Rome Statute) is a treaty that established ICC at a conference in Rome in 1998.
• The Review Conference of the Rome Statute was held at the city of Kampala, Uganda on June 1, 2010, and during this conference, all the countries involved decided to celebrate International Criminal Justice Day on July 17.
• The Rome Statute established four core international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

Significance of International Justice Day

• World Day for International Justice aims to strengthen international criminal justice across the world.
• The adoption of the Rome Statute and establishment of the new system of international criminal justice is viewed as a revolutionary advance for peace and the rule of law.
• World Day for International Justice is also significant as it helps to raise awareness to the people aware and united to support justice. It also promotes the rights of the victims and also draws the attention of people towards serious issues.

What is the International Criminal Court?

• ICC came into being when 123 states adopted a statute in Rome. All the countries that agreed to adopt the statute accepted the jurisdiction of the ICC, with regards to the prosecution of very serious crimes.
• The idea was not for the ICC to replace national courts, rather it was established only to intervene when a country is unable to carry out investigations and prosecute perpetrators.

Why World Day for International Justice is celebrated?

• This day is celebrated because it is necessary to make people aware and united to support justice and also to promote the rights of the victims.
• The day reminds the people across the world that are committed to justice around the world to ensure continued support for the international justice system.
• It also protects people from several crimes and also warns those people who affect the peace, security and well being of the nation at risk.
• This day was initiated to demonstrate the important role of civil society members plays in our lives.