The Role of the Victim in the Proceedings of the International Criminal Court

Background and Objective: Victimological studies were the first to foreground the position of victims within international criminal proceedings. With the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the rights and roles of victims in addressing major international crimes were significantly expanded. This study aims to elucidate the legal and normative status of victims in the Court’s adjudicative process and to analyze the significance of the Rome Statute in this regard. Method: The present research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach and is based on library-based data and documentary analysis. Findings: The results indicate that victims may play active roles at various stages of the criminal process—from the initiation of prosecution to the issuance of judgment—including proposing prosecutions, cooperating in the collection of evidence, participating through legal representatives, and presenting views and concerns during the proceedings. Conclusion: By formally recognizing the roles of victims, the Rome Statute has brought about a substantial transformation in international criminal justice and has acknowledged victims as one of the fundamental pillars of the adjudicative process.