H: ICC es54

Draft resolution of UNGA 54 on ICC

The General Assembly,

19 October 1999

Recalling its resolutions 47/33 of 25 November 1992, 48/31 of 9

December 1993, 49/53 of 9 December 1994, 50/46 of 11 December 1995, resolution 51/207 of 17 December 1996, resolution 52/160 of 15 December 1997, and its resolution 53/105 of 8 December 1998,

Noting that the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

was adopted on 17 July 1998, and is open for signature in New York at United Nations Headquarters until 31 December 2000 , and noting further the Final Act of the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court done at Rome on 17 July 1998,

Noting in particular that the Conference decided to establish a

Preparatory Commission for the Court, and that the Commission has held two sessions from 16 to 26 February 1999, {and} from 26 July to 13 August 1999, and {a session which will be held} from 29 November 1999 to 17 December 1999 respectively,

Bearing in mind the mandate of the Preparatory Commission with regard to the preparation of proposals for practical arrangements for the establishment and coming into operation of the Court, including the finalization before 30 June 2000 of the draft texts of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and of the Elements of

Crimes,

Recognizing the continuing need for making available adequate resources and Secretariat services to the Preparatory Commission, in order to enable it to discharge its functions efficiently and expeditiously,

Emphasizing the need to make the necessary arrangements for the commencement of the functions of the International Criminal Court in order to ensure its effective operation,

Noting that a number of States have deposited their instruments of ratification and that a significant and growing number of States have signed the Statute,

1. Reiterates the historic significance of the adoption of the

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;

2. Calls upon all States to consider signing and ratifying the

Statute of the International Criminal Court, and encourages efforts aimed at promoting awareness of the results of the

Conference and of the provisions of the Rome Statute of the

International Criminal Court;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to convene the Preparatory

Commission to meet, in accordance with resolution F adopted by the Conference, from 6 to 24 March 2000, from 12 to 30 June 2000, and from 27 November to 8 December 2000, to carry out the mandate of that resolution and, in that connection, to discuss ways to enhance the effectiveness and acceptance of the Court;

4. Also requests the Secretary-General to make available to the

Preparatory Commission Secretariat services, including the preparation of working documents if so requested by the Preparatory Commission, to enable it to perform its functions;

5. Further requests the Secretary-General to invite, as observers

to the Preparatory Commission, representatives of organizations and other entities that have received a standing invitation from the General Assembly pursuant to its relevant resolutions* to participate, in the capacity of observers in its sessions and work; and also to invite as observers to the Preparatory Commission representatives of interested regional intergovernmental organizations and other interested international bodies, including the international criminal tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda;

6. Notes that non-governmental organizations may participate in

the work of the Preparatory Commission, including attending its plenary and its other open meetings in accordance with the rules of procedure to be adopted by the Commission, receiving copies of the official documents and making available their materials to

delegates;

7. Encourages States to make voluntary contributions to the trust

funds established pursuant to Assembly resolutions 51/207 and 52/160, whose mandates were expanded pursuant resolution 53/105, toward meeting the costs of participation in the work of the

Commission of the least developed countries and of those developing countries not covered in resolution 51i207;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General

Assembly at its fifty-fifth session on the implementation of the present resolution;

9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-fifth session the item entitled:

"Establishment of the International Criminal Court."

*List of relevant G.A. resolutions as in footnote 3 of res.

52/160