PREPARATORY COMMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT MEETS AT HEADQUARTERS, 13-31 MARCH
Press Release
L/2947
PREPARATORY COMMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT MEETS AT HEADQUARTERS, 13-31 MARCH
20000309 Background ReleaseThe Preparatory Commission of the International Criminal Court is going to hold its fourth session from 13 to 31 March at United Nations Headquarters in New York to continue elaborating the rules and guidelines necessary for the functioning of the Court.
During its upcoming session, the Commission is expected to begin a second reading of two key texts -- Elements of Crimes and Rules of Procedure and Evidence -- and continue work on the question of the crime of aggression. At its last session, which took place on 29 November to 17 December 1999, the Commission completed a first reading of the two instruments, thereby indicating general agreement on the framework and provisions of the text. A second reading is usually devoted to the refinement of language, elimination of inconsistencies and finalization of pending issues.
Next week's session is one of the two additional meetings -- 13 to 31 March and 12 to 30 June -- authorized by the terms of General Assembly resolution A/54/105 of 9 December 1999, in view of the 30 June 2000 deadline for the finalization of the texts. Originally, the work on the Elements of Crimes and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence was to be completed by the end of the December session. More time was needed, however, to finish the drafting of the key documents due to the complexity and importance of the issues under discussion.
Some other remaining tasks to be addressed by the Preparatory Commission after the completion of the texts include finalization of financial rules and regulations, a first-year budget for the Court, a relationship agreement between the Court and the United Nations, and a headquarters agreement with the host country (the Netherlands).
The International Criminal Court is envisaged as a permanent judicial body complementing national judicial systems. It will have jurisdiction only over crimes committed by individuals. Within its purview will be the crime of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Once the work on aggression is completed, the Court will also be able to try individuals for that crime. States Parties to the Rome Statute, the Security Council and the Court's Prosecutor will be authorized to bring cases before the Court.
The Preparatory Commission was established in 1998 to lay the groundwork for the functioning of the Court, and held three sessions -- on 16 to
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26 February, 26 July to 13 August and 29 November to 17 December -- in 1999. Delegations have also held consultations in several inter-sessional meetings.
Participation in the work of the Preparatory Commission is open to all States that were invited to the Rome Conference, including those that have not yet signed the Statute. Representatives of relevant regional intergovernmental organizations and international bodies, including the international tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda, may participate as observers. Non- governmental organizations (NGOs) also may participate in the Commission's open meetings.
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