ICC Reading Assignment

POLS 170 

Bucknell University

Evan G. 

I found the most persuasive argument to be the one by Professor Daniel Abebe. I agree with his position that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a waste of money and that the money that was allocated to the court could have been used in other, more productive manners. I think that providing a population with the essential elements of a secure life, including vaccines and food security, goes a much longer way than spending massive amounts of money on a system that has not achieved a great deal in its stated mission. I think that with the amount of bad actors and crimes against humanity perpetrated daily, across the world that, as Professor Abebe says, “Two convictions hardly constitute a serious deterrent and one wonders if it is money well spent.” Also, because the court does not have its own enforcement arm to apprehend those who were convicted, powerful leaders have the ability to evade the reach of the court with ease. Most recently, this is seen with the case of Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, who is being accused of authorizing the use of multiple banned weapon systems, which constitutes war crimes. If an indictment was ever brought against Putin and he was convicted, the court would have no way of capturing him and bringing him to the Hague. 

Furthermore, the United States not being a member of the ICC takes away some of the court’s legitimacy. Finally, I also agree with Professor Abebe, that the court solely targeting African countries is an indicator of bias towards Africa. While it is true that there are many individuals in Africa whose actions would constitute an investigation, it is also true that these individuals are present on every continent. Much like Professor Abebe writes, I don’t believe that only two convictions is enough to justify the massive amounts of money that is used to fund the court and that as stated above, that money could be used in other manners, which would have a far greater and longer lasting impact.

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