Assembly of States Parties 2016

 

From the 16th to the 24th of November 2016, the International Criminal Court (ICC) member states gathered in The Hague for the annual session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute (ASP). Over seven days, stakeholders in the international justice system discussed and decided upon the workings and future of the ICC. Coming at a time of difficulty for the ICC, up to 400 civil society delegates called for a show of unity from governments and expressions of support for victims of grave crimes at the 15th annual ASP session.

 

The fifteenth session of the ASP 

 

Representatives of the 124 member states of the ICC, who together form the ASP and thus the management and legislative body of the Court, meet at least once a year to discuss and decide on a number of issues central to the functioning of the Court.

The ASP is a pivotal forum for the Coalition, providing a unique opportunity for NGOs to engage with representatives of Rome Statute states parties and observer states and with Court officials and staff on a range of topics related to international justice. Side events, organized by civil society and states alike, provide additional platforms for advocacy on ending impunity for international crimes.

At the 15th ASP session, states discussed and made decisions on a number of issues, including:

  • Strengthening the work of the ASP and the Court as a whole;
  • State cooperation with the Court;
  • Implementation of the principle of complementarity; 
  • Efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal process;
  • Withdrawals of the Rome Statute and the relationship between Africa and the ICC; 
  • Review of the work of the Advisory Committee on Nominations (in light of judicial electinos in 2017);
  • The Court's proposed budget for 2017.

 

A dedicated pledging ceremony on the ratification of the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities (APIC) was also organized, to encourage states to pledge to ratify the treaty  ahead of the Court's 20th anniversary in 2018.

For more information on the outcomes of this session, read the Report of the 15th Assembly of States Parties to the ICC Rome Statute

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Accreditation to the ASP

The Coalition for the ICC facilitates the participation of NGOs in sessions of the Assembly of States Parties. In order to attend an ASP session, each individual must be formally accredited to the ASP. Accreditation can be requested though the Coalition for the ICC or through the ASP Secretariat. 

The accreditation process for the next session of the Assembly of States Parties, taking place in December 2017 in New York, will open in October 2017. For questions regarding accreditation please contact the Coalition Secretariat at asp@coalitionfortheicc.org. 

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