CURRENT CONTEXT : Recently, Ukraine has officially joined the International Criminal Court as the 125th State Party to the Rome Statute.

 ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

• It is the world’s first permanent international court established to try individuals for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
• Established by: Rome Statute (adopted in 1998, came into force in 2002)
• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands

 JURISDICTION AND ROLE

• Investigates and prosecutes:
• Genocide
• War Crimes
• Crimes Against Humanity
• Crime of Aggression
• The court functions independently of the United Nations but cooperates with it.

INDIA’S POSITION : India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and is not a member of the International Criminal Court.