When did the International Criminal Court begin operating?

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Hear about the formation, functions, and limitations of the International Criminal Court — International criminal law Learn about the International Criminal Court.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) officially began operating on July 1, 2002.12

This date marks when the Rome Statute—the treaty establishing the court—came into force after being ratified by the required 60 countries. Based in The Hague, the ICC serves as a court of last resort, authorized to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.12