Initially, a UN Security Council referral of the Syrian case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) seemed the most practical and effective method to address impunity. The ICC has a mandate to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide – all of which are clearly occurring in Syria. Whilst Syria is not a member of the ICC, the UN Security Council has the unique power to refer cases to the ICC when they pertain to a non-member state. However, the current paralysis in the Security Council, largely due to Russia’s consistent exercise of its veto power, has rendered this institution futile in accountability efforts. The inability of this UN organ to responsibly deal with the Syrian war has attracted international criticism and undermined the legitimacy of the ICC as it becomes a political tool in the crisis.