What is the purpose of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court established in 1998?

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), established in 1998, serves the primary purpose of establishing a permanent international legal framework for prosecuting individuals for serious international crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. By creating the ICC, the Rome Statute represents a significant development in international criminal law, allowing for the prosecution of individuals at an international level instead of relying solely on national courts, which may lack the capacity or willingness to address such grave offenses.

This statute embodies the collective commitment of states to uphold accountability for these severe crimes, thereby enhancing global justice and promoting the rule of law. It also establishes the principles and procedures for the functioning of the ICC, affirming that individuals, including heads of state, can be held responsible for their actions under international law.

The other options are not aligned with the purpose of the Rome Statute. Regulating domestic crime is typically the domain of national legal systems rather than international frameworks. Although promoting civil rights is important, it is not the specific focus of the Rome Statute; rather, it aims at punishing transgressions that violate peace and security on an international scale. Finally, implementing anti-drug legislation is unrelated to the provisions of the Rome Statute, as