International Adjudication Under Particular Consideration of International Criminal Justice: The German Contribution

Abstract

The question of how proceedings can be initiated ('trigger mechanism') was very controversial. Some statesamong them the USA and Chinafeared that proprio motu powers might be misused by an overzealous prosecutor to initiate politically motivated, unfounded investigations. Their opponents, to the contrary, argued that proprio motu powers are essential for a strong and independent court, because without them, the ICC would not be able to prosecute international crimes whenfor political or other reasonsthe state parties and the