The International Criminal Court treaty was endorsed by 120 states at an international meeting in Rome in July 1998. Preparation for this meeting was authorized by the UN General Assembly.
Many people believe that the ICC, by establishing an international forum to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, will both punish and deter genocide more effectively than in the past when prosecution depended on ad hoc creation of temporary tribunals. The ISG and AGS are members of the NGO [nongovernmental organization] coalition for an International Criminal Court.
The Rome treaty awaits ratification by 60 states to come into force as an international treaty. By February 1999, five states had ratified the Rome Statute. Most members of the European Union and associated states are expected to ratify by the end of 2000. The United States and China were alone among major powers in opposing the Rome Treaty. Other opponents included Iraq, Israel, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Qatar. The U.S. fears there are inadequate safeguards to prevent politically inspired indictments against U.S. peacekeepers and military involved in humanitarian interventions.
For more information:
NGO Coalition for an International Criminal Court
c/o WFM
777 UN Plaza, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10017 USA
Phone: 1 212 687 2176; Fax: 1 212 599 1332
email cicc@iccnow.org
http://www.iccnow.org
This web site includes the text of the Rome Statute, a summary,
other legal documents and information in French and Spanish as
well as English.