International Criminal Court

OBJECTIVES OF THE ICC

Herman VAN ROMPUY,
President of the European Council,
and Judge SONG, President of the International Criminal Court

The European Union fully supports the International Criminal Court (ICC). The principles of the Rome Statute of the ICC, as well as those governing its functioning, are fully in line with the principles and objectives of the Union. The consolidation of the rule of law and respect for human rights, as well as the preservation of peace and the strengthening of international security, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and as provided for in Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty of European Union, are of fundamental importance to, and a priority for, the Union.

THE EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORTS THE ICC

The serious crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC are of concern for the European Union, which is determined to co-operate for the prevention of those crimes and for putting an end to the impunity of the perpetrators thereof. In this framework, the European Union adopted, on 11 June 2001, Common Position 2001/443/CFSP on the International Criminal Court, which has been reviewed and reinforced on 20 June 2002 by Common Position 2002/474/CFSP, and on 16 June 2003 by Common Position 2003/444/CFSP.On 21 March 2011 the Council adopted a new decision on the ICC repealing the 2003 Common position.

At the review conference of the Rome Statute of the ICC, held in Kampala, Uganda, from 31 May to 11 June 2010,  the European Union pledged to review and update its instruments in support of the ICC and to continue the promotion of the universality and preservation of the integrity of the Rome Statute. 

The objective of the Council decision is to advance universal support for the Rome Statute by promoting the widest possible participation in it, to preserve the integrity of the Statute, to support the independence of the ICC and its effective and efficient functioning, to support cooperation with the ICC and to support the implementation of the principle of complementarity.

The European Union also agreed on 12 July 2011 an Action Plan to follow-up the Decision on the International Criminal Court.

 


The European Union and the International Criminal Court - May 2010

Available only in EN PDF [4.041]. Download

 

STATE OF AFFAIRS

As of 13 July 2011, the Rome Statute of the ICC has been signed by 139 States and ratified - or acceded to - by 116 States. The Statute has entered into force on 1 July 2002.