The Peace Palace – Heart of world justice

The Peace Palace – Heart of world justice in the Netherland.

Photo. The Peace Palace In The Hague, Netherland. 

Built in 1913, it’s home to the International Court of Justice, where disputes between nations are settled peacefully instead of through war. 

Gifted with artworks and symbols of peace from countries around the world, the building itself is like a global handshake in stone. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, consisting of 193 member states. 

Unlike Amsterdam, The Hague is not the capital, but it’s the seat of government and the home of the Dutch king’s workplace (Noordeinde Palace). It’s also world-famous as the “city of peace and justice”, because of the Peace Palace, International Court of Justice, and International Criminal Court.

The International Court of Justice has handles disputes between countries (states), not individuals. Some examples are: 

Examples:

• Nicaragua vs. USA (1980s) – about military actions and support for rebels
• Gambia vs. Myanmar – accusations of genocide against the Rohingya
• Maritime border disputes – e.g., between Peru and Chile, or Nicaragua and Colombia
• Ukraine vs. Russia (ongoing) – allegations of genocide and aggression

Many border disputes, maritime conflicts, and treaty disagreements have been solved in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) without violence. The Peace Palace is symbol of peace and these courts send a strong message: nations can bring arguments to the courtroom instead of the battlefield.

Stein Morten Lund, September 2025