Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNP CommentLiam Ferguson: The ICC is not a serious courtThe International Criminal Court poses a serious threat to the sovereignty of Canada and its alliesLast updated 19 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.The International Criminal Court in The Hague. Photo by JOHN THYS/AFPTHE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has come under fire for its politically motivated prosecutions of Israel’s prime minister and former defence minister, but the court’s own actions expose it as an unserious institution that’s wholly incapable of fulfilling its role of prosecuting the most heinous of international crimes.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe court’s biggest problem is its consistent inaction. In July and August, the court only has one event relating to ongoing cases on its agenda. In total, only six active cases are currently being heard. Not only is it inactive, it also faces serious difficulties in apprehending those it indicts, which can partially explain its inactivity.A further issue is the alleged sexual misconduct of the court’s former lead prosecutor, Kharim Khan, who issued the arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Khan was suspended from the ICC in June over sexual misconduct allegations levelled by his former assistant. On Friday, the court’s 125 member states voted to permanently remove Khan as chief prosecutor.The National Post newsletter that doesn’t hold back, giving readers the unvarnished truth on media, politics and culture.By signing up, you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Right? will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe scandal has severely degraded the court’s credibility, since Khan had a substantial say in the issuance of arrest warrants. If the character and judgment of its lead prosecutor cannot be trusted, then neither can the court itself.Two weeks ago, the U.S. State Department charged that the ICC poses an “intolerable threat” to America and its allies, and called on other nations to reject the court’s authority. Although the United States is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, in 2020, the ICC launched an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by U.S. forces in Afghanistan, thereby asserting its right to usurp American sovereignty.The ICC has only issued 61 arrest warrants in its history, and only 22 have appeared before the court. How is it that an institution that’s supposed to be holding those who commit the most serious crimes accountable is looking into so-called American crimes, but has only issued 61 arrest warrants since its founding?Should Canada, because of its peacekeeping past, believe that it will not one day become a target of the ICC? Surely not. Canadian heroes have fought alongside Americans in many places, including Afghanistan. Canada also supplies its allies in times of war.There is less room between Canada and the ICC than there is between the U.S. and the ICC, since Canada is a signatory to the Rome Statute, and the court still sees fit to investigate Americans and issue arrest warrants for our allies. It would surely not be in Canada’s interests to have an international court attempting to arrest government ministers or other Canadian citizens.The International Criminal Court says that it exists to hold those who commit the most serious crimes accountable. However, the numerous issues with the ICC show that the court itself needs accountability. While relations between Canada and the United States have been strained as of late, perhaps our neighbours to the south have a point about international institutions like the ICC that have little respect for the sovereignty of the countries that empower it.National Post Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.