Topics
ICC v. Ho Chi Minh, ICC v. Catherine the Great, ICC v. Augusto Pinochet Ugarte, and ICC v. Pete Hegseth
Committee Type
Court
Committee Size
Small
Committee Description
In the International Criminal Court, teams of four present cases either in defense of or prosecuting an influential historical figure accused of violating international law. Delegates are organized in teams by delegation, and must work together to thoroughly investigate and build their case, eventually organizing all arguments into one cumulative brief. Such extensive research will gradually ease each participant down an enriched path to growth, developing their understanding of how the United Nations persecutes the leaders of our world. During the conference, delegates will act as both lawyers and jurors and hear every case, allowing delegates to learn how to respect, understand, and represent the opinions they have heard.
Topic Intros
ICC v. Augusto Pinochet Ugarte
Under Pinochet’s rule, Chilean security forces conducted operations against political opponents including widespread torture, forced disappearances, unlawful imprisonments, and political executions. Thousands of citizens were abused and interrogated without a fair trial in detention centers, including the infamous National Stadium of Santiago. Pinochet also participated in Operation Condor, which was a coordinated effort between multiple South American military governments during the 1970s and 1980s designed to track, torture, and kill left-wing political opponents.
ICC v. Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great died in 1796 and was one of the most influential rulers in Russian history. Her rule marked a period of expansion in the Russian Empire. She greatly strengthened the nation’s military and political power. However, her rule also reinforced autocratic government and Russian serfdom. As a result of these policies, it needs to be determined whether or not Catherine the Great was a reformer and modernizer or a leader who ruled through repression and inequality.
ICC v. Ho Chi Minh
In 1941, Ho Chi Minh organized the Viet Nam Doc Lap Dong Minh Hoi (League for the Independence of Vietnam), also known as the Viet Minh, to fight against Japanese occupation. Following World War II’s conclusion, on September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam independent. This would lead to the French Indochina War (1946-1954) as France sought to regain control over its colony. During the conflict, both the French and Viet Minh were accused of committing war crimes, including the killing of civilians. Ultimately, the widespread unpopularity of French colonialism, even amongst those not in support of the Viet Minh, greatly contributed to the defeat of France. The Geneva Agreements would end the French Indochina War, and they stipulated for countrywide elections.
ICC v. Pete Hegseth
On September 2, 2025, the U.S. military, under the direction of Hegseth, began conducting lethal strikes on small civilian boats operating in or near Venezuelan waters (in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean). The US argued that the targeted vessels were being used for drug smuggling and terrorism, noting that Venezuelan cocaine shipments contributed to overdose deaths in the United States. However, the strikes marked a significant departure from previous US policy. The Coast Guard, with assistance from the Navy, typically treated maritime drug smuggling in the Caribbean as a law enforcement problem, interdicting boats and arresting individuals for prosecution if suspicions of illicit cargo turn out to be correct. Targeted boats can include fishing boats or similar small watercraft that are manned by laborers or fisherman not associated with drug trading.
