ESSS Amsterdam: The ICC

The International Criminal Court, also known as the ICC, is where criminals suspected of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression are put on trial. The building itself was an interesting combination of sterile and living elements. White steel panels alternated with squares of glass to create a monochromatic, irregular checkerboard pattern, perhaps referencing the black-and-white nature of justice. There are also irregular squares of green ivy, however, perhaps referencing the constant need for growth and adaptation in our growing and changing world. Inside, visitors are allowed to observe court proceedings. We watched as a witness, from behind a screen and with a voice modifier, testified against crimes committed in Africa. 

The fact that there is an international court of law supported by over a hundred different countries is a testament not only to European unity but worldwide cooperation. After World War II, the creation of an international court was discussed for crimes of an international magnitude, but the Cold War began and made this unlikely. After the end of the Cold War, plans to create it began anew. It was adopted by a vote of 120 to seven in 1998 with 21 countries abstaining. (The seven countries that voted against the treaty were China, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Qatar, Yemen, and the United States of America.) Since then, these countries have worked together to prosecute many crimes against humanity. 

While the International Criminal Court is located in Den Haag, not Amsterdam, it still contributes to the Netherlands's status as a cultural capital. Since it's the location for such an international institution is makes is a sort of judicial, civic captial, just as the European Parliament Building does for Brussels, Belgium. Not only does it attract tourists like ourselves, but it also attracts and creates jobs for hundreds of lawyers, civil workers, and others from all over the world.