The modern principle of international criminal justice goes back to Nuremburg and its highly specific historical context. The 1990s marks a decade of renaissance, for former-Yugoslavia and Rwanda in particular. The Rome Statute marked a major breakthrough by establishing a permanent court. This development came under criticism and the Statute was not ratified by the majority of members of the Security Council. In its 70th year, the idea of international criminal justice is still young and remains full of potential.