The preamble of the Rome Statute, a treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), says that all peoples are united by common bonds, forming a "delicate mosaic" that may be "shattered at any time." It adds that there are grave crimes committed that "threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world." Such crimes must not go unpunished and the impunity for the perpetrators must end so that further crimes can be prevented.
According to Amnesty International, "certain crimes are so serious that they amount to an offence against the whole of humanity and therefore all states have a responsibility to bring those responsible to justice."