Participation of Victims in ICC Proceedings

The Rome Statute regime departs from the traditional approach of criminal justice. The latter stresses on punishing the offender and pays less regard on the welfare of the victims of crimes, let alone the participation of victims in criminal proceedings. However, merely punishing the perpetrators is insufficient if the aim is justice for the victims. Retributive justice deprives the victims of the opportunity to have their voices heard, and to obtain, where appropriate, reparations for their sufferings. This book unfolds the solid embedment of victim-based justice into ICC legal regime, and extensively highlights the participation of victims in various stages of ICC proceedings. It also elucidates the right of the victims to receive reparations. In respect to reparations, the book highlights their rationale and forms. It also examines the reality of reparations by dissecting the awards of reparations in two cases: the Katanga case and the Al Mahdi case. The book is relevant as reference for law students, researchers and legal practitioners.