The ICC Prosecutor and Positive Complementarity: Strengthening the Rule of Law?

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the practice of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court with regard to his/her policy of positive complementarity. This policy aims at encouraging domestic jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of core international crimes. In order to achieve this goal, the Prosecutor can act at various stages of the proceedings. First at the preliminary examination phase, where he/she will determine if conditions of admissibility are met, and secondly at the investigation and prosecution phases of the proceedings. This study shows that the ability of the Prosecutor to pursue such a policy is real, but limited, as his/her core mandate, is to bring perpetrators of international crimes before the International Criminal Court. Consequently, the implementation of the policy of positive complementarity must be envisioned in collaboration with other actors working on Rule of Law Programs. In this respect, the Prosecutor must engage in cooperation with international organisations and civil society actors.