Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

An act by a state involving the use of armed force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of another state, violating international law.

The use of armed force by a state against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, or political independence of another state.

An obligation requiring states to either extradite a suspected offender to another state or prosecute them domestically for serious international crimes.

An agreement between two states to protect each other's nationals from surrender to the International Criminal Court without consent.

A principle where the International Criminal Court acts only when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to prosecute serious crimes.

The ICC prosecutes crimes only when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to genuinely investigate or prosecute.

The principle that international courts may only prosecute crimes when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so genuinely.

The principle that international criminal courts prosecute crimes only when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to do so themselves.

Certain widespread or systematic attacks against civilians, including murder, enslavement, torture, and persecution.

Extradition treaty exceptions are specific legal grounds allowing states to refuse surrendering individuals to requesting states under certain conditions.

The extension of a state's criminal jurisdiction beyond its borders to prosecute offenses committed abroad. It is often justified by nationality or protective principles.

The unlawful coercion of an individual into marriage during armed conflict, recognized as a violation under international criminal law.

An international treaty defining genocide and obligating states to prevent and punish its commission.

A permanent court that prosecutes individuals for crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression.

A UN court established to prosecute persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law in Rwanda in 1994.

A UN court established to prosecute serious crimes committed during the conflicts in the Balkans in the 1990s.

The authority claimed by some states to intervene legally in another state's affairs under specific international law conditions.

A legal doctrine attributing criminal responsibility to individuals who participate collectively in a common plan to commit crimes under international criminal law.

The ICC jurisdiction principle that allows it to prosecute only when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so.

Allows states to prosecute certain serious international crimes regardless of where they occurred or the nationality of perpetrators or victims.

Serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in armed conflict, including targeting civilians and mistreatment of prisoners.

War crimes jurisdiction is the legal authority to prosecute individuals accused of serious violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts.

A court established to prosecute individuals accused of serious violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts. It may be ad hoc or permanent.