International Criminal Court is more of a Eurocentric Organisation than an International Court." Explain the jurisdiction of International Criminal Court in light of the above statement.

Understanding the International Criminal Court (ICC)

The ICC is a treaty-based court, meaning its powers are derived from the Rome Statute. It is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. It operates on the principle of complementarity, meaning it only investigates cases when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so.

Jurisdiction of the ICC

The ICC’s jurisdiction is complex and operates under several conditions:

• Territorial Jurisdiction: Crimes committed on the territory of a State Party.
• Nationality Jurisdiction: Crimes committed by nationals of a State Party.
• Referral by the UN Security Council: Under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council can refer situations to the ICC, regardless of state party status (though this requires a veto-free resolution).
• Proprio Initio (Initiation): The Prosecutor can initiate investigations based on information received, subject to judicial authorization.

Criticisms and the "Eurocentric" Label

The perception of the ICC as Eurocentric arises from several factors:

• Case Selection: A significant proportion of cases have involved African countries (e.g., Kenya, DRC, Uganda, Central African Republic). Critics argue this reflects a neo-colonial bias, with the ICC acting as a tool for Western powers to exert influence. While the African Union has expressed concerns about the ICC’s focus, it’s important to note that the Prosecutor has often opened investigations in response to requests from African governments themselves.
• Geographic Imbalance: Crimes committed in Europe and Asia have received significantly less attention. The lack of investigation into alleged war crimes committed by nationals of powerful states, like the US and Russia, fuels accusations of selectivity. For example, the US has not ratified the Rome Statute and is therefore outside the ICC's jurisdiction.
• Composition and Bias: While efforts have been made to increase diversity, concerns remain about the representation of non-Western perspectives within the ICC's personnel, particularly among judges and the Prosecutor’s Office.
• Double Standards: The ICC's inability to prosecute powerful individuals from Western nations, even when credible allegations of war crimes exist, reinforces the perception of double standards and a bias towards developing nations.

Table: ICC Cases by Region (Knowledge Cutoff: Early 2023)

Region	Number of Cases
Africa	27
Asia	3
Europe	1
South America	5

Addressing the Concerns

The ICC acknowledges the criticisms and has taken steps to address them, including:

• Increased efforts to engage with African states and understand their concerns.
• Emphasis on complementarity and supporting national justice systems.
• Initiatives to improve the diversity and cultural sensitivity of its workforce.
• Prosecutor's office attempting to open investigations in other regions, subject to judicial authorization and available resources.

However, overcoming the perception of Eurocentrism requires sustained commitment to impartiality, transparency, and a broader geographical focus in its operations. The Rome Statute itself has provisions for amendments, though achieving consensus on such changes can be challenging.