PERMANENT MISSION OF GERMANY TO THE UNITED NATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

December 1, 1999

German Cabinet approves draft-enacting law of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Today, 1 December 1999, the German Government in a cabinet meeting in Berlin chaired by Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroder approved the draft law to enact the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. This decision by the German Cabinet clears the way for the commencement of the parliamentary approval procedure.

The Federal Republic of Germany signed the Rome Statute on 10 December 1998, the 5Oth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This day was chosen to underline the great importance which the German Government attributes to the future International Criminal Court.

After the Cabinet meeting, the Government spokesman emphasized that the German Government was convinced that the future Court would make an effective contribution to promoting justice and preventing the most serious crimes affecting the international community as a whole to go unpunished.

The approval of the draft enacting law by the German Cabinet is an essential step for a swift ratification of the Rome Statute by the Federal Republic of Germany which could thus contribute to an early entry into force 0f this important treaty

At the same time, the German Government will continue to contribute actively to the work of the Preparatory Commission for the International Criminal Court so that the Court can be set up in The Hague as soon as possible.