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The International Criminal Court is Born

Rights & Democracy today welcomed the entry into force of the ICC treaty creating the first permanent international tribunal capable of trying individuals for the most serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

MONTREAL, 1 JULY 2002 - Rights & Democracy today welcomed the entry into force of the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty creating the first permanent international tribunal capable of trying individuals for the most serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"The struggle for international law and justice has taken a major stride forward today with the birth of the Court," said Rights & Democracy's Chairperson and Acting President, Kathleen Mahoney. "This is an historic moment which marks the end of the culture of impunity and the beginning of a new era of accountability and deterrence. From now on, the international community has an important tool in bringing to justice and punishing the Hitlers, Pinochets, Pol Pots and Amins of tomorrow," she said. The Court will help protect civilians around the world and could eventually be used to combat international terrorism.

The ICC has been called by many observers the greatest advance in international law since the creation of the United Nations. Based in The Hague, the Netherlands, it will take up to a year or more before the Court is ready to investigate its first cases. In the coming months, several critical events will take place, including meetings of the Assembly of State Parties (the body of ratifying nations that will govern the Court), and the election of the first 18 judges and the Prosecutor, which is expected to take place in January 2003. The Court will be formally inaugurated in February 2003. As of today, 69 countries have ratified the Rome Statute. Based on the formula set out in the Rome Statute, only countries that have deposited their instrument of ratification by July 2, 2002, will be able to participate with full voting rights in the first Assembly of States Parties meeting. The birth of the ICC coincides with the 10th and final session of the Preparatory Commission of the ICC being held at the UN headquarters in New York from July 1st to 12, 2002.

Rights & Democracy is a member of the Steering Committee of the International NGO Coalition for an International Criminal Court and a partner of the ICC Technical Assistance Programme (ICC-TAP).