On Prevention of Crimes

The atrocities and immense suffering witnessed by the international community over the past years have deeply impacted global politics and will likely shape the future of international criminal law (ICL). While many important questions lie ahead, this article suggests returning to one of ICL’s fundamental objectives — not punishment or presecution of crimes, but their prevention. Given the gravity of international crimes, in terms of their scope and widespread effects, greater emphasis must be placed on their prevention in the first place or their cessation at earlier stages. How can ICL better prevent armed conflicts from escalating into potential international criminal cases? What role can the international criminal court play in these preventive efforts? The article explores these questions by suggesting various areas where a preventive approach could provide valuable guidance for the path forward.