New York, Feb. 8, 1999

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday welcomed the ratification by Senegal of the Statute to establish a permanent International Criminal Court. UN Spokesman Fred Eckhard said the Secretary-General hoped that this action of Senegal, which on February 2 had become the first state to ratify this international instrument, would serve to encourage other States to expedite the process of ratification.

The Statute, adopted by the United Nations Diplomatic Conference held in Rome from 15 June to 17 July 1998, will come into force when sixty states have ratified it. It provides for the trial of individuals accused of serious crimes of global concern such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Conference also adopted a resolution establishing the Preparatory Commission.

The Commission is scheduled to meet in two weeks to take up such issues as the elements of crimes and the rules of procedure and evidence. It is also expected to prepare proposals for a provision on aggression, including the definition and the elements of the crime of aggression and the conditions under which the International Criminal Court shall exercise its jurisdiction with regard to this crime.