| What's next for the International Criminal Court? FACT SHEET |
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| • Entry into force (July 1, 2002); • Assembly of States Parties (September 3 to 13, 2002), • Election of judges and other milestones in the road ahead. 1) Entry into force of the ICC treaty According to the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court, 60 states must deposit their instruments of ratification to trigger its entry into force and the establishment of the Court. The 60th ratification was deposited at the UN in April. As of June 25, 69 states have ratified. Article 126 of the Rome Statute provides that entry into force will occur on the "first day of the month after the 60th day following the date of the deposit of the 60th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations." The Court's jurisdiction will apply from the date of entry into force, July 1, 2002. Although the Court will have jurisdiction forward from July 1, as a practical matter it will not be ready to begin consideration of initial cases for a number of months - perhaps up to a year - until important procedural and administrative functions are set in motion. 2) Assembly of States Parties The Assembly of States Parties is the decision making body which will oversee the establishment of the Court. After the Rome Statute enters into force on July 1, 2002, the first Assembly of States Parties will convene September 3 to 13, 2002. The Assembly will adopt documents setting forth rules of procedure and evidence, elements of crimes, financial regulations and rules, a first year budget and other administrative arrangements. The September meeting of the Assembly will also discuss a procedure for nomination and election of judges for the Court. Election of judges and the ICC prosecutor will likely take place during the second meeting of the Assembly, in January 2003. 3) Nominations of Judges and Prosecutor Each state party may put forward one candidate for election as Judge or Prosecutor for the ICC. Eighteen Judges and a Prosecutor will be elected at a resumed meeting of the Assembly of States Parties, likely to be held in January, 2003. |
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