Photo/Illutration Tomoko Akane, president of the International Criminal Court, poses on March 26, 2024, at the tribunal in The Hague in the Netherlands. (Mizuho Morioka)

In her opening remarks at the 23rd Session of the Assembly of States Parties on Dec. 2 in The Hague, Judge Tomoko Akane, the president of the International Criminal Court, said something unforgettable.

Her exact words were, “What matters is not the pointing finger, but the moon.”

I understand that this was in reference to a Buddhist saying meaning that we humans are distracted by what is readily visible (the pointing finger) and thereby fail to understand the essence (the moon).

Describing the present situation as “extraordinary,” Akane reminded the assembly of the gravity of the state the ICC is in.

Pledging to never deviate from upholding the rule of law, she spoke of ICC officials who have been subjected to attacks, coercive measures and serious threats to their persons for “having faithfully and diligently carried out their judicial mandate per the statutory framework and international law.”

Akane mentioned no names, but it was obvious that the cause of this “extraordinary situation” lay in the arrest warrants the ICC has issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In retaliation, the Kremlin has named Akane and others on a “wanted” list, while the pro-Israel U.S. Congress has threatened the ICC with economic sanctions.

Akane’s remarks reminded me anew that the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have created a new crisis for the ICC.

The latter’s 124 member nations, regions and territories are being openly criticized and threatened.

Although the threats are coming from non-member countries, they happen to be permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

The ICC was established 22 years ago to allow the international community to judge individuals for war crimes, instead of victors of war judging losers of war.

The very existence of this system that has been shaped upon experiences gained from two world wars is now said to be in crisis.

I am sure that the “moon” Akane asked ICC members to focus on stands for war crimes and human rights violations, as well as the rule of law that will be applied to judge the offenders.

—The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 27

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.