US political push to weaken ICC reflects deeper power struggles, legal imperialism, and global governance gaps
Original framing: “Global: States must push back against reprehensible US campaign to dismantle the ICC” — Amnesty International
Survivors from conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Yemen have repeatedly reported that the ICC’s procedural delays leave them vulnerable to re‑victimisation. Amplifying these testimonies through participatory reporting platforms can reshape policy priorities toward victim‑centered outcomes.
The US campaign to weaken the ICC is not an isolated policy choice but a manifestation of historic great‑power resistance to supranational accountability, reinforced by domestic political narratives and corporate interests.
By foregrounding Indigenous restorative concepts, historical patterns of legal imperialism, and cross‑cultural critiques, we see that the current legal architecture is both under‑funded and culturally narrow, limiting its deterrent capacity. Integrating independent financing, hybrid justice models, and robust regional complementarity can transform the ICC into a resilient, pluralistic institution. Transparent registries and participatory victim platforms will further democratize accountability, ensuring that the Court reflects the diverse moral economies of the Global South and marginalized communities. Together, these pathways address the structural roots of the campaign while building a future‑oriented, inclusive system of international criminal justice.