IPC2601
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 20 April 2026
QUESTION 1
The Contribution of the International Criminal Court to the Enforcement of
International Law: Competencies and Challenges
1. INTRODUCTION
The International Criminal Court plays an important role in the enforcement of international
law because it holds individuals accountable for serious crimes that affect the global
community.
QUESTION 2
A Critical Evaluation of the International Monetary Fund’s Role in the Global
Economy: Mandate, Obligations, Enforcement Powers and Contemporary Critiques
1. INTRODUCTION
The International Monetary Fund is one of the most influential international financial
institutions in the world economy. It was created in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference
to promote global monetary cooperation and financial stability among member states.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION 1
The Contribution of the International Criminal Court to the Enforcement of
International Law: Competencies and Challenges
1. INTRODUCTION
The International Criminal Court plays an important role in the enforcement of
international law because it holds individuals accountable for serious crimes that
affect the global community. These crimes include genocide, crimes against
humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. Before the Court was created,
many perpetrators of such crimes escaped punishment because national courts
were unwilling or unable to prosecute them. The ICC was established through the
Rome Statute in 1998 to close this gap and strengthen justice at international level.
Its work supports the rule of law by showing that no person should be above the law,
even political leaders and military commanders. The Court also helps to protect
victims by recognising their suffering and giving them a legal voice in international
proceedings. Despite these achievements, the ICC faces serious problems such as
lack of cooperation from states, political resistance and weak enforcement powers.
These challenges affect its ability to carry out its mandate effectively (Hurd, 2013;
BAbtahi and Koh, 2012).
2. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
2.1 Establishment and Legal Foundation
The International Criminal Court is a permanent international court created to
prosecute individuals responsible for the most serious crimes under international
law. It was established under the Rome Statute, which came into force on 1 July
2002. The Court is based in The Hague in the Netherlands and operates
independently from the United Nations, although it works closely with it in some
matters. The ICC was created because the international community saw the need for
a standing court that could deal with grave crimes in a consistent and lawful way,
instead of relying only on temporary tribunals such as those for Rwanda and the
former Yugoslavia. Its legal authority comes from member states that ratify the Rome
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
Statute and accept its jurisdiction over certain crimes committed within their territory
or by their nationals (Reinalda, 2013; Kaul, 2007).
2.2 Purpose and Jurisdiction
The main purpose of the ICC is to end impunity for serious international crimes and
promote accountability where national justice systems fail. The Court only acts when
domestic courts are unable or unwilling to investigate or prosecute, which reflects the
principle of complementarity. This means national courts remain the first and primary
place for justice. The ICC has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity,
war crimes and the crime of aggression. Its focus is on individual criminal
responsibility, not on punishing states or governments. Through this structure, the
Court strengthens international criminal justice by creating a legal mechanism that
reaches beyond national borders while still respecting state sovereignty (Maphosa,
2020; Sterio, 2020).
3. CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
3.1 Promoting Accountability for International Crimes
One of the ICC’s greatest contributions to international law is that it makes
individuals answer for crimes that threaten peace and human dignity across borders.
Before the ICC, many leaders and military commanders escaped justice because
national systems were weak, biased or destroyed by conflict. The Court has changed
this by creating a legal forum where even powerful individuals can be prosecuted. A
clear example is the case against former Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga,
who was convicted for recruiting child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This case showed that international criminal law can move beyond theory and result
in real punishment for offenders. By prosecuting such cases, the ICC strengthens
the principle that serious crimes must lead to legal consequences (BAbtahi and Koh,
2012; Bosco, 2014).
3.2 Strengthening the Rule of Law Beyond National Borders
The ICC also contributes by reinforcing the idea that international law is binding and
enforceable, not merely symbolic. Its existence sends a message that international
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 20 April 2026
QUESTION 1
The Contribution of the International Criminal Court to the Enforcement of
International Law: Competencies and Challenges
1. INTRODUCTION
The International Criminal Court plays an important role in the enforcement of international
law because it holds individuals accountable for serious crimes that affect the global
community.
QUESTION 2
A Critical Evaluation of the International Monetary Fund’s Role in the Global
Economy: Mandate, Obligations, Enforcement Powers and Contemporary Critiques
1. INTRODUCTION
The International Monetary Fund is one of the most influential international financial
institutions in the world economy. It was created in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference
to promote global monetary cooperation and financial stability among member states.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION 1
The Contribution of the International Criminal Court to the Enforcement of
International Law: Competencies and Challenges
1. INTRODUCTION
The International Criminal Court plays an important role in the enforcement of
international law because it holds individuals accountable for serious crimes that
affect the global community. These crimes include genocide, crimes against
humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. Before the Court was created,
many perpetrators of such crimes escaped punishment because national courts
were unwilling or unable to prosecute them. The ICC was established through the
Rome Statute in 1998 to close this gap and strengthen justice at international level.
Its work supports the rule of law by showing that no person should be above the law,
even political leaders and military commanders. The Court also helps to protect
victims by recognising their suffering and giving them a legal voice in international
proceedings. Despite these achievements, the ICC faces serious problems such as
lack of cooperation from states, political resistance and weak enforcement powers.
These challenges affect its ability to carry out its mandate effectively (Hurd, 2013;
BAbtahi and Koh, 2012).
2. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
2.1 Establishment and Legal Foundation
The International Criminal Court is a permanent international court created to
prosecute individuals responsible for the most serious crimes under international
law. It was established under the Rome Statute, which came into force on 1 July
2002. The Court is based in The Hague in the Netherlands and operates
independently from the United Nations, although it works closely with it in some
matters. The ICC was created because the international community saw the need for
a standing court that could deal with grave crimes in a consistent and lawful way,
instead of relying only on temporary tribunals such as those for Rwanda and the
former Yugoslavia. Its legal authority comes from member states that ratify the Rome
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
Statute and accept its jurisdiction over certain crimes committed within their territory
or by their nationals (Reinalda, 2013; Kaul, 2007).
2.2 Purpose and Jurisdiction
The main purpose of the ICC is to end impunity for serious international crimes and
promote accountability where national justice systems fail. The Court only acts when
domestic courts are unable or unwilling to investigate or prosecute, which reflects the
principle of complementarity. This means national courts remain the first and primary
place for justice. The ICC has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity,
war crimes and the crime of aggression. Its focus is on individual criminal
responsibility, not on punishing states or governments. Through this structure, the
Court strengthens international criminal justice by creating a legal mechanism that
reaches beyond national borders while still respecting state sovereignty (Maphosa,
2020; Sterio, 2020).
3. CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
3.1 Promoting Accountability for International Crimes
One of the ICC’s greatest contributions to international law is that it makes
individuals answer for crimes that threaten peace and human dignity across borders.
Before the ICC, many leaders and military commanders escaped justice because
national systems were weak, biased or destroyed by conflict. The Court has changed
this by creating a legal forum where even powerful individuals can be prosecuted. A
clear example is the case against former Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga,
who was convicted for recruiting child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This case showed that international criminal law can move beyond theory and result
in real punishment for offenders. By prosecuting such cases, the ICC strengthens
the principle that serious crimes must lead to legal consequences (BAbtahi and Koh,
2012; Bosco, 2014).
3.2 Strengthening the Rule of Law Beyond National Borders
The ICC also contributes by reinforcing the idea that international law is binding and
enforceable, not merely symbolic. Its existence sends a message that international
