Countries that refuse to be bound by the International Criminal Court - WHY ?

[msmob]

Why DO nations like the USA and Russia ( examples) avoid signing the Rome Statute ?

They both have history in being players in third states affairs - whether required on not and often without UN  ratification.

IF you want your nation to act like a Policeman - who's going to 'Police' the Police ?

 

[GQBlues]

I'm glad the US is clear out of that silly ruse. I agree with Bolton. Considering ALL of the global unrest, wars, hostilities are direct products of Europe's colonialism, let the silly court practice its silly ideals unto itself...

Curious why the ICC never prosecuted anyone about the recent Libya invasion, Iraq's Oil-for-Food corruption, etc...

[DaveNY]

Why DO nations like the USA and Russia ( examples) avoid signing the Rome Statute ?

They both have history in being players in third states affairs - whether required on not and often without UN  ratification.

IF you want your nation to act like a Policeman - who's going to 'Police' the Police ?

If you look at which countries have not signed on to the Rome Statute it appears that the countries that have not signed represent more than half of the world's population.

The top 4 countries by population are China, India, the US and Indonesia. None of these countries are signatories. Add in Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and a few others and you have more than half the population of the world.

Perhaps the even more interesting factor is why does the world look to the US for financial and military aid to solve the world's problems. When Iraq invaded Kuwait the world looked to the US. The Arab world wouldn't/couldn't act. Europe wouldn't/couldn't act. That left the US and all those countries looking to the US knew that what ever happened the US would not be bound by the authority of ICC.

http://asp.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/asp/states%20parties/pages/the%20states%20parties%20to%20the%20rome%20statute.aspx

[BC]

Under the Rome Statute's complementarity principle, the Court only has jurisdiction over cases where the relevant state is unwilling or unable to investigate and, if appropriate, prosecute the case itself. Therefore, many states parties have implemented national legislation to provide for the investigation and prosecution of crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of the Court.

It's not like a World Supreme Court.  More like a last resort when a country simply does not react to provide a legal venue to address matters at hand.

[BillyB]

Let's say America goes and rescues their friends. Whether one believes America is a bully or helps it's friends, America fights a lot.

With fighting often, the chances civilians getting killed increases. Let's say a pilot and makes a mistake and drops his bombs on a civilian target. America ruled it was an accident. The international court says "Wait a minute! YOU are unwilling to investigate the incident properly and since you're signatory to the Rome Statute, we want to try your pilot so hand him over!"

Ground troops can accidently hit civilians. It always happens in a conflict. Same song and dance from the international court. Hand them over!

Now American boys don't want to join the military to help our allies after seeing our government handing over American troops to be imprisoned by a group of non Americans. American boys will see America doing most of the work to enforce international law and see the world punish America the most. Less people to sign up into the military and those in the military will have lower moral if they don't have faith in their government. Low moral gets more people killed.

[msmob]

Thanks for the responses,.

I expected the usual 'patriots' to not read the question

[BillyB]

Thanks for the responses,.

I expected the usual 'patriots' to not read the question

A thanks that ends with an insult. Nice.

Although America isn't signatory to the Rome Statute, it seems the ICC judges want to investigate American soldiers anyway. What, they don't have enough work to investigate crimes of humanity from all the conflicts in Africa and from terrorist groups? Who's paying their salaries? If those judges don't like the way America polices, they can pick up a gun themselves to save the world.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/bolton-threatens-international-criminal-court-with-sanctions-if-they-continue-probe-of-alleged-us-war-crimes?yptr=yahoo

[msmob]

A thanks that ends with an insult. Nice.

It wasn't an 'insult' - it was an observation ..

Hope well the cap fits you, sir

[rwd123]

China hasn't even signed up to the UN covenant for human rights. Those in charge want to remain above the law.

[fathertime]

China hasn't even signed up to the UN covenant for human rights. Those in charge want to remain above the law.

Makes sense.

Fathertime!