German Presidency of the European Union

P R E S S R E L E A S E

Preparatory Commission for the International Criminal Court

New York, 16 February 1999

The European Union looks forward to intensive and fruitful negotiations during the first session of the Preparatory Commission for the International Criminal Court to be held in New York from 16 to 26 February. The Commission faces a long list of tasks to be fulfilled in order to ensure that the Court will soon be operational. The European Union continues to work towards the early establishment of the International Criminal Court and will therefore actively participate in and contribute to the work of the Preparatory Commission.

The European Union welcomes the election of Ambassador Philippe Kirsch as chairman of the Preparatory Commission .The EU has great confidence in his skills as a lawyer, as a diplomat and as a conference manager. The EU is grateful for the sound programme of work he has presented. It is appropriate that the programme focuses first on the elaboration of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and of the Elements of Crimes in view of the target date of 30 June 2000 set by the Rome Conference for the finalisation of these issues. The EU underlines that these two documents should be elaborated in a manner which fully respects the spirit and letter of the well balanced provisions of the Rome Statute. The EU is confident that all States will cooperate constructively towards achieving a widely accepted text of these important documents. The European Union reiterates its conviction that the International Criminal Court will make the world a more just and more peaceful place in which to live. Recent atrocities in many par

ts of the world have highlighted once again the need to put an end to impunity for heinous crimes. The Rome Statute is not only a landmark in the development of international law and a major achievement for the UN; above all it offers the opportunity for a world where the interests of peace and justice will not be seen as contradictory.

The European Union welcomes the fact that 75 States have signed the Rome Statute as of today. All EU Member States are signatories and undertake to complete their individual constitutional procedures required for ratification as speedily as possible. The EU congratulates Senegal as the first State to have ratified the Statute.

For the early coming into operation of the Court the widest support of the international community is needed. The European Union urges States to sign and ratify the Rome Statute as soon as possible to ensure that the necessary quorum of 60 States Parties for its entry into force is secured at an early date. Progress in the work of the Preparatory Commission must be complemented by the completion of national procedures for ratification. The EU welcomes all efforts, not least those undertaken by non-governmental organisations, to achieve this goal.

In conclusion, the European Union would like to stress once again the important future role of the International Criminal Court both in preventing serious violations of international humanitarian law and serious human rights violations, and in ensuring that those responsible for atrocities are brought to justice. The European Union will spare no effort in working towards the early entry into force of the Statute and the realization of an effective, functioning and credible ICC.