Despite the recent storms of criticism facing the International Criminal Court, particularly from the African Union, there are many good reasons for states to join the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC. Lebanon is not a member of the ICC, but it should seriously consider becoming one.

The ICC was created in Rome in 1998, on the experience of unimaginable atrocities that threatened the peace, security and well-being of the world. The ICC’s goal is to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community: war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. It is designed by its drafters to contribute to the prevention of such crimes.

States that have joined the ICC carry the primary obligation to investigate and prosecute serious crimes committed on their territory. The ICC can take over this responsibility only as a complementary court of last resort, if such a state cannot or refuses to fulfill its duties. [Link]