Who Is Part of the Rome Statute?

By Alice Nichols

The Rome Statute is an international treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 1998. The ICC is a permanent international court with jurisdiction over individuals accused of the most serious crimes, such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It aims to hold individuals accountable for these crimes when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to do so.

Who is part of the Rome Statute?

As of September 2021, there are 123 states that are party to the Rome Statute. These states have ratified or acceded to the treaty, thereby accepting its jurisdiction and becoming members of the ICC. Let’s explore some key regions and countries that are part of the Rome Statute:

Africa:

  • South Africa: South Africa was one of the first countries to ratify the Rome Statute in 1998.
  • Kenya: Kenya joined the ICC in 2005 and has been an active participant in its proceedings.
  • Uganda: Uganda ratified the Rome Statute in 2002 and referred a situation within its territory to the ICC.

Europe:

  • Germany: Germany is a prominent member of the ICC since it ratified the Rome Statute in 2000.
  • France: France became a party to the Rome Statute in 2000 and has actively supported its work.
  • The United Kingdom: The UK joined the ICC in 2001 and has contributed significantly to international justice efforts.

Americas:

  • Argentina: Argentina ratified the Rome Statute in 2001 and has been a strong supporter of the ICC.
  • Canada: Canada joined the ICC in 2000 and has played an important role in advancing human rights globally.
  • Colombia: Colombia acceded to the Rome Statute in 2002, demonstrating its commitment to fighting impunity.

Asia-Pacific:

  • Australia: Australia is a state party to the Rome Statute since its ratification in 2002.
  • Japan: Japan became a member of the ICC in 2007, contributing to international justice efforts.
  • South Korea: South Korea ratified the Rome Statute in 2002 and actively supports the work of the ICC.

The membership of these countries, along with many others, reflects a global commitment to ending impunity for perpetrators of grave crimes. However, it is important to note that some significant countries, such as the United States, China, Russia, and India, are not parties to the Rome Statute.

These countries have either not ratified or have withdrawn from the treaty. Consequently, individuals from these states fall outside the jurisdiction of the ICC unless their cases are referred by the United Nations Security Council.

In conclusion, the Rome Statute and its International Criminal Court play a crucial role in promoting accountability for serious international crimes. With an increasing number of states joining and supporting this treaty, it demonstrates a growing global consensus on ensuring justice prevails even when national systems fail. Through cooperation among member states and ongoing efforts to strengthen international justice mechanisms, we can collectively strive towards a more just and peaceful world.