What's happened
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is under scrutiny as it issues arrest warrants for Israeli leaders amid threats from Russia and the U.S. The court's legitimacy is questioned as member states show reluctance to comply with its orders, raising concerns about international justice.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, Judge Tomoko Akane emphasized the unprecedented challenges facing the ICC, noting attacks on its legitimacy from both Russia and the U.S. The Independent reported that Akane condemned the arrest warrants issued by Russia against ICC officials, framing them as shameful. AP News highlighted the contrasting reactions to the ICC's warrants for Israeli leaders, with U.S. President Biden calling them 'outrageous' while previously supporting the warrant for Putin. This inconsistency raises questions about the ICC's impartiality and the political motivations behind its actions.
How we got here
The ICC, established in 2002, prosecutes war crimes and crimes against humanity when national courts are unable or unwilling to act. Recent warrants for Israeli leaders have sparked significant political backlash, particularly from the U.S. and Russia.
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