The International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) have received unprecedented public attention for their attempts to prosecute alleged war crimes committed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s war in Gaza.
The ICC prosecutes individuals, while the ICJ prosecutes states. While the ICJ was established in 1945, as part of the human rights architecture built after World War II, the ICC is a younger organization, founded in 2002. Both are based in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The ICC made headlines in March 2023 when it issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin and another Russian official for an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children.
In November 2024, it also issued arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant. Warrants were also issued for three senior Hamas leaders, all of whom were since killed by Israel.
In February, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order sanctioning the ICC, accusing it of abusing its power by “issuing baseless arrest warrants” for Netanyahu and Gallant.
The ICJ has also shot to global prominence over hearing a case of genocide brought against Israel by South Africa. Although the court is yet to make a final ruling, it issued “provisional measures” in early 2024 ordering Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza.
The ICJ is also considering a genocide case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar, over its treatment of Rohingya Muslims.
Nina Græger, director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), told CNN the two courts would be worthy laureates for helping to “maintain international law and international norms.”
