Who Has Not Signed the Rome Statute?

By Michael Ferguson

The Rome Statute is an international treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 1998. The ICC is a permanent court that prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. While the majority of countries have signed and ratified the Rome Statute, there are still a few notable countries that have not joined this international agreement.

Who has not signed the Rome Statute?

To date, there are 16 countries that have not signed or ratified the Rome Statute. These countries include:

  • United States
  • Russia
  • China
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Turkey
  • Pakistan
  • Egypt
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Israel
  • Iran
  • North Korea
  • Sudani/liiiiiii
  • yria

    The reasons behind non-participation:

    In many cases, the decision to not sign or ratify the Rome Statute stems from concerns over sovereignty and political implications. Some countries fear that joining the ICC may compromise their ability to independently address domestic issues or engage in military operations without the risk of being subject to international prosecution.

    Other countries, like the United States, have expressed concerns about the impartiality and effectiveness of the ICC. They argue that the court’s jurisdiction could be used for politically motivated prosecutions or undermine their national security interests.

    In the case of Israel, although it has not ratified the Rome Statute, it has cooperated with certain ICC investigations and engaged in discussions with the court regarding its jurisdiction.

    The impact:

    The absence of these countries from the Rome Statute limits the ICC’s jurisdiction and ability to prosecute individuals from these nations for crimes under its purview. However, it is important to note that non-participation in the Rome Statute does not grant immunity to individuals from these countries if they commit crimes falling within the scope of international law.

    Conclusion

    In summary, while a majority of countries have signed and ratified the Rome Statute, there are still notable nations that have chosen not to participate. The reasons behind their non-participation vary but often revolve around concerns over sovereignty, political implications, or doubts regarding the effectiveness and impartiality of the ICC. Despite their absence from this international agreement, individuals from these countries can still be held accountable for crimes under international law through other mechanisms.