Autocracies and the International Criminal Court: Civil Society Engagement, Dissident ngo s, and the Pursuit of Justice

What is it about?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has almost exclusively intervened in contexts of autocratic rule. As the Court is dependent not only on state cooperation but also on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for effectiveness and legitimacy, this article explores the role – if any – of "dissident NGOs" in the pursuit of justice for international crimes committed under autocratic regimes. It shows that, while NGOs have been fundamental to the working of the ICC, autocratic states are particularly challenging for the ICC and NGOs to operate in. Despite this, NGOs may have found new ways of holding autocratic states to account for international crimes.

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