Every year on July 17, we celebrate World Justice Day. This day reminds us how important it is to hold people responsible for serious crimes. But have you ever thought about what happens when victims cannot speak in their own language? Justice is not just about laws and courts. It also means making sure everyone can understand and be understood, no matter where they come from or what language they speak.
How World Justice Day Started
The story began on July 17, 1998. That day, 120 countries agreed to the Rome Statute, which created the International Criminal Court (ICC). This court is the first permanent international court that can try people for crimes like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The ICC started working officially on July 1, 2002, after enough countries agreed to join.
The ICC builds on the work done after World War II, especially the Nuremberg trials. Those trials showed that individuals, not just countries, can be held responsible for terrible crimes. Even though the Cold War slowed things down, the tragic events in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia pushed the world to create courts like the ICC. World Justice Day was made official in 2010 to remember the Rome Statute and to remind countries to keep supporting justice and fight against people escaping punishment.
Why Language Matters in International Justice
Language is a big part of justice. The ICC uses six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. These languages represent the many countries that are part of the ICC. English and French are mainly used during court sessions, but important decisions are shared in all six languages so everyone can understand.
Sometimes, the court also uses other languages when needed. This is very important because if something gets lost in translation, it can cause big problems.
The Challenge of Many Languages
International courts have a tough job. At the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, many languages were spoken at once. This included English, French, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Albanian, and Macedonian. That meant a lot of translators and interpreters had to work hard to keep everything clear.
The Rome Statute says that everyone involved in ICC cases must fully understand the language used. The court hires about 50 interpreters and translators who often work in pairs to make sure nothing is missed. They use soundproof booths and follow strict rules to help victims, defendants, and others communicate clearly.
Justice is About People
Justice is not just about rules and procedures. It is about real people. Victims and defendants need to speak in their own languages to share their stories and protect their rights. The ICC lets victims do more than just testify. They can share their feelings and concerns with the court, with help from legal support.
Why This Matters
World Justice Day is more than just a date. It reminds us that justice must cross language and cultural barriers to work. The ICC’s use of many languages helps victims tell their stories honestly and makes sure defendants understand the charges against them.
Justice that people cannot understand is not real justice. Supporting international justice means standing up for fairness, responsibility, and respect for human dignity everywhere.
Written by Valentina Rodriguez