King opens new Int’l Criminal Court complex in the Hague

Dutch King Willem-Alexander opened the new headquarter of the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Tuesday. The International Criminal Court, or ICC, is an international independent authority, recognized by 124 countries in the world. Its aim is the prosecution of individuals responsible of genocides, crimes against humanity and war crimes. This is the world's first permanent criminal tribunal. The opening ceremony was also attended by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Minister Bert Koenders of Foreign Affairs and The Hague mayor Jozias van Aartsen, according to broadcaster NOS. Ban Ki-moon used the event to renew calls for more countries to join ICC and cooperate in its investigations. He called the event “a milestone in global efforts to promote and uphold human rights and the rule of law”. And he urged U.N. Member states that haven't' joined the court yet to do so. The futuristic building has been in use since last December. It was designed by Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen. https://twitter.com/koninklijkhuis/status/722455769845735426