Our purpose: Promoting peace through criminal justice – preventing crimes of aggression
Through the United Nations Charter, virtually all States in the world have expressed their commitment “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. They have agreed to renounce the illegal threat or use of force, and to settle their disputes “by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered”. States have the legal duty to abide by this commitment (more…)
They adopted a definition of the crime of aggression, which is also expected to be incorporated into many domestic criminal codes. They thus created a new mechanism to enforce the most important rule of international law: the prohibition of the illegal use of force under the United Nations Charter. 30 ratifications, as well as a further decision by States Parties in 2017, are required for the ICC take up this new function. This website is dedicated to making this new accountability mechanism a reality.
News
Mongolia becomes 41st State to ratify Kampala amendments: On 18 January 2021, Mongolia deposited its instrument of ratification of the Kampala amendments, becoming the 41st State to ratify the amendments on the crime of aggression.
40th State Ratifies the Kampala amendments on the Crime of Aggression: On 10 December 2020, Bolivia deposited its instrument of ratification of the Kampala amendments, becoming the 40th State to ratify the amendments.
Launch of new Cyber Project: On 29 and 30 October 2019, Liechtenstein together with Argentina, Belgium, Estonia, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland and the Global Institute on the Prevention of Aggression launched a new Council of Advisers on the Application of the Rome Statute to Cyberwarfare. The Council was formed as a time-bound forum for States, Academics and Civil Society Members to discuss how different forms of cyber operations fit into the Rome Statute system and other international legal frameworks.
Ecuador 39th State to ratify Kampala Amendments: On 25 September 2019, Ecuador deposited its instrument of ratification of the Kampala amendments, becoming the 39th State to ratify the amendments.
Paraguay 38th State to ratify Kampala Amendments: On 5 April 2019, Paraguay deposited its instrument of ratification of the Kampala amendments, becoming the 38th State to ratify the amendments.
Guyana 37th State to ratify Kampala Amendments: On 28 September 2018, Guyana deposited its instrument of ratification of the Kampala amendments, becoming the 37th State to ratify the amendments.
Ireland 36th State to ratify Kampala Amendments: On 27 September 2018, Ireland deposited its instrument of ratification of the Kampala amendments, becoming the 36th State to ratify the amendments.
ICC jurisdiction over the Crime of Aggression activated: On this day the International Criminal Court can finally begin exercising jurisdiction over the crime of aggression. We now have, for the first time in history, a permanent international court with jurisdiction over the crime of aggression – the worst form of the illegal use of force. And indeed, the moment could not be more auspicious. The provisions on the legality of the use of force – a centerpiece of the United Nations Charter – are frequently challenged these days and at times openly ignored. The conviction that armed conflict between States was largely a phenomenon of the past has been replaced by concerns that international armed conflicts may be back on the rise. We therefore, more than ever, need a strong, independent, international Court with jurisdiction over the most serious forms of the illegal use of force.