Which principle allows the ICC to prosecute individuals for core international crimes even if national courts are unwilling or unable to genuinely carry out investigations or prosecutions?
- Universal jurisdiction
- Complementarity
- Territoriality
- Nationality principle
Answer: Complementarity
Complementarity is a cornerstone of the Rome Statute. The ICC is a court of last resort: it intervenes only when national jurisdictions fail to act genuinely. This respects state sovereignty while ensuring accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression.