FINAL DOCUMENT
NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT
XIII MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
CARTAGENA, APRIL 8-9, 2000
(SECTION ON INTERNATIONAL LAW / POINTS REFERRED TO THE ICC)
" 97. We recall the Declaration on the United Nations Diplomatic Conference
of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal
Court by the NAM Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau. We take
note of the ongoing discussions in the Preparatory Commission and we stress
the need to ensure during the work of the Preparatory Commission, that the
Court is impartial and independent of political organs of the United
Nations which should not direct or hinder the functions of the Court nor
assume a parallel or superior role to the Court. We also note the
importance of safeguarding the integrity of the Statute of the Court, in
particular during the work of the Preparatory Commission and emphasise the
need to take the necessary measures to ensure the coming into operation of
the International Criminal Court.
98. We note the conclusion by the Preparatory Commission for the
International Criminal Court of its second reading of the Elements of
Crimes and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. We call on all States to
work together to ensure the timely completion of the mandate of the
Preparatory Commission in particular with regard to the Rules of Procedure
and Evidence and the Elements of Crimes. We also emphasise the need o
conclude the ongoing work of the Preparatory Commission with respect to the
crime of aggression, which is an important part of the Statute. In this
regard, we urge the active and consistent participation of the members of
NAM in the Working Group in all issues, particularly with regard to
arriving at an acceptable definition of this serious crime.
99. We stress our serious concern on the intention of a group of States to
unilaterally re-interpret or re-draft the existing legal instruments in
accordance with their own views and interests. We emphasise that the
integrity of legal instruments by Member States must be maintained."
