65

The creation of the International Criminal Court established by the treaty signed in Rome on July 17th 1998 to punish those responsible for aggressions, war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity exemplifies the emergence of the international civil society which is strong enough by now to impose the judgement of political leaders. Only 60 states had ratified this statute in April 2002, thus permitting the Court to come into force from July 1st 2002. The most powerful states in the world, whether democratic or not, are by no means the most willing to accept the judgement of their nationals by a Court whose competence is subsidiary. What most threatens the International Court is the risk of a double standard.