The International Criminal Court Judge, Phillipe Kirsch, has asked India to join the court and ratify the statute, saying the largest democracy's support would go a long way in strengthening the global court.
"Mass crimes are crimes against humanity, genocide, persecution -- serious crimes. A universal acceptance of the court is necessary, and India, as one of the world's largest democracy, can help develop international law against mass crimes," he said at a press conference organised by ICC-India in New Delhi Friday night.
Known as the 'court of last resort', ICC commenced in July 2002 as the only permanent global court capable of trying individuals accused of the "most serious crimes" under international law and has about 100 member states.
India was actively involved in formulating a draft of the Rome Statute, which governs the functions and jurisdiction of the court, but later abstained from voting on the statute along with other nations, including the US.
Victims can appear before the court in their own right and not as witnesses, Kirsch said adding, even a non-member state could approach ICC for specific situations.
"The Indian Penal Code is fairly comprehensive. But it does not spell out as crimes many acts that are considered grave crimes under the international laws," he said.
Echoing Kirsch's feelings, law researcher Dr Usha Ramanathan lamented "we still consider genocide as murder".
"Ratifying the ICC will enable India to strengthen its own national laws to deal with grave crimes committed on its own territory," she said.
