The document discusses the formation and purpose of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Key points: - The ICC was established in 2002 when enough countries ratified the Rome Treaty developed in 1998. It will have jurisdiction over war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and aggression committed by individuals from member states. - The ICC aims to prosecute serious international crimes when member states are unable or unwilling to do so themselves. It can investigate and prosecute individuals even from non-member states for such crimes. - Supporters believe the ICC will help establish a universal rule of law and deter tyranny and violence. However, some questions remain about issues like national sovereignty and how the court will function in practice.

1. not have retroactive
power, but will only
prosecute crimes com-
mitted after its forma-
tion.
For those concerned
about national sover-
eignty, proponents of
the Rome Treaty assure
that the ICC will not
trump national govern-
ments' responsibility to
be the primary prosecu-
tors for serious interna-
tional crimes. They say
that the ICC will only
intervene as a last
resort, when a country
cannot or will not pros-
ecute human rights vio-
lators.
However, the formation
of the International
Criminal Court gener-
ates a great many ques-
tions:
Continued on page 18
from any country for
crimes against humani-
ty.
How will it work?
The court will have the
power to try individuals
from any country,
regardless of whether
their country has rati-
fied the treaty. Only
nations or persons from
countries that have rati-
fied the treaty, however,
may bring charges to
the court. The United
Nations may also bring
charges on behalf of
other nations or groups.
To prevent petty griev-
ances from being
brought before the
court, prosecutors will
need to get permission
from three pre-trial
judges to begin investi-
gations. The court will
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LOCAL CHURCH NEWS
P.A.W. Conference
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COMMENTARY
FAVORITES
Joyce Meyer
Life in the Word Page 5
ENTERTAINMENT
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MONTHLY FEATURES
Church Happenings
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Pastor Profile
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S u r v i v i n g
mostly from the pro-
ceeds of their Thrift
Stores, the Rome
Salvation Army has
existed since 1898.
They also give away
some of the clothing
that is donated once
each month. Last year
alone, they
gave away
50,000 items.
Major Loyd
Kerns is the
C o r p s
Officer of the
Rome
d i v i s i o n .
Every Corps
Officer is an
o r d a i n e d
m i n i s t e r .
Kerns completed his
education at The
Salvation Army
School for Officers
Training in Atlanta. In
the "Army" for 23
years Kerns came from
Columbus, Georgia,
where he served for 6
years and has been
here in Rome for the
past 3 years.
Each Corps
Community Center
can tailor its religious
The International
Criminal Court (ICC)
was signed into reality
in early April when ten
countries - six more
than needed - ratified
the 'Rome Treaty'
developed in Rome
starting in 1998. Sixty-
six nations have ratified
the treaty so far, and
nearly 100 others may
do so in the future.
A large number of
countries and groups
are excited about the
prospect of an interna-
tional court that would
have jurisdiction over
the entire world, to
bring to justice those
who have shed large
amounts of human
blood. The internation-
al community would
have a permanent
means for trying indi-
viduals for genocide,
crimes against humani-
ty, war crimes and
aggression. Many
believe this will create a
universal rule of law,
and will be a means of
squelching tyranny and
violence around the
world.
There has never been a
court with the power of
the International
Criminal Court.
Temporary ad hoc tri-
bunals have been set up
in the past to try genoci-
dal and war criminals -
such as the Nuremburg
trials. The International
Court of Justice is a per-
manent judicial body,
but it rules between
governments and can-
not prosecute individu-
als. However, when the
ICC is formally created
on July 1, 2002, it will
become a permanent
court for the purpose of
trying any individual
Romes Salvation Army Serving since 1898
Ministries
“Bubba” Cathy of Chick fil A
Ministers to Married Couples
Page 6
The
Christian
Times
floyd polk bartow & gordon counties
Formerly
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 FREE MONTHLY PUBLICATION JUNE 2002
services to the cultural
patterns and needs of
the people it serves.
Some of the services
offered in Rome, along
with a place of wor-
ship, are Emergency
Financial Aid - which
can only be used once
every 12 months to
help with rent, utilities,
and prescriptions;
Emergency Shelter -
the center in Rome can
house 18 men and 6
women, offering 5
days at no cost, and $7
per night after that; the
Community Meal is
served to whomever
needs to come 365
days per year, and
Rome averages 35
people per day.
The largest
need in Rome is more
housing for families.
While the center can
certainly help a family
in need, it is very limit-
ed by the one-room
facilities now avail-
able. In fact, there is
currently no one in the
community who can
Continued on Page 12
'Peace! Peace!' The International
Criminal CourtSPECIAL COLUMNS
The Lighter Side
George Nix Page 6
The Christian Sports Report
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