Amnesty International calls on states to strengthen ICC

Delegates gather at the 12th session of the ICC Assembly of States Parties in 2013. © CICC

With the 13^th session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the ICC Rome Statute quickly approaching, civil society is calling on states parties to strengthen their support for the Court.

Amnesty International is urging ICC member states make a series of pledges at the December 2014 ASP session. In particular, Amnesty International is calling on each of the current 122 states parties to pledge to take the following steps:

• To enact effective legislation to implement the Rome Statute;
• To ratify the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court;
• To enter into an agreement with the ICC to relocate witnesses and victims;
• To enter into an agreement with the ICC to receive persons granted interim release;
• To enter into an agreement to receive persons released from the custody of the Court who cannot go back to their country of nationality or residence;
• To enter into an agreement with the ICC on enforcement of sentences;
• To make a voluntary contribution to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims;
• To make a voluntary contribution to the Special Fund for the purpose of funding family visits;
• To make a voluntary contribution to the Special Fund for witness relocation; and
• To ratify the amendment adopted in Kampala to expand the definition of war crimes.

Amnesty International also encourages states that have previously made pledges in these or other areas to use the 13^th ASP session to report on the status of their implementation.

Taking place from 8-17 December this year in New York, the annual ASP session provides ICC member states with an opportunity to debate and make decisions on numerous issues central to the Court’s operations. Each year, the ASP is a pivotal event for NGOs participating as observers. NGOs coordinate their activities through the Coalition and prepare with great intensity for the sessions in order to monitor key issues, such as the election of ICC judges and other officials, as well as the adoption of the Court’s annual budget.

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