Universal Jurisdiction and International Criminal Court: a shared pursuit of justice

This study is centered on examining how lack of universal jurisdiction to the International Criminal Court (ICC) affects the maintenance of the International Criminal Justice. Lack of the Universal jurisdiction to the court affect the primary purpose of introducing the International Criminal Court because it acts as a shield to nationals from non-state parties to the court jurisdiction, from prosecution. In order to curb this, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court grant the UN Security Council to refer situation to the court. Where the cases can be referred by state party to the Rome Statute or by the UN Security Council, acting under chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, or by non-state parties when making declaration to accept the jurisdiction of the court, or by prosecutor of the ICC initiating investigation propio motu. This rise the important question about the effectiveness of the UN Security Council referrals in maintaining international criminal justice. Manifestly the issue is controversial. This study concluded by proposing the way forward in order to make sure the ICC serve its purposes of establishment accordingly.