Summary Day Seven
Assembly of States Parties 2018
ASP17 ends with states reaffirming unwavering support for the Court in the face of increasing threats
12 December 2018
“The Rome Statute is the dream of the finest instincts of humanity,”
Bill Pace, Covenor of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, 12 December 2018
On the last day of the 17th ASP session, states convened for a short plenary to adopt the last of the resolutions and reports.
States formally adopted the Program Budget for the ICC for 2019 (ICC-ASP/17/L.4) and the Omnibus Resolution (ICC-ASP/17/L.3).
States considered the Court’s proposed budget request for 2019 (€147.55 million) and the recommendation of the CBF to approve a budget of €144.70 million, finally settling – after several days of drawn-out negotiations – on a budget of €144.55 million – or €150,000 less than what the independent expert body had advised.
In the Omnibus Resolution, states addressed the threats that have been directed at the International Criminal Court and its supporters, inserting the following language,
“The Assembly of States Parties reconfirms its unwavering support for the Court as an independent and impartial judicial institution, reiterates its commitment to uphold and defend the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute and to preserve its integrity undeterred by any threats against the Court, its officials and those cooperating with it, and renews its resolve to stand united against impunity.”
The decision on the dates of the next ASP in 2019 has been delayed, with States requesting the Secretariat of the ASP to look further into logistical constraints and the Bureau to decide on the date and venue by 31 January 2019.
States then considered and adopted the Report of the Credentials Committee and the Report of the ASP session, before closing the 17th session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Side Events from Day Seven
The last side event of ASP17 returned the attention to the victims and communities affected by international crimes, with the Netherlands, Uganda, Avocats Sans Frontieres, Impunity Watch, and Redress organizing an event to discuss, “Victim Participation in Transitional Justice Contexts.”
Arrest in the Central African Republic II situation
As the ASP session was drawing to a close, the ICC issued a press release announcing the arrest of Mr. Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona by French authorities.
Pre-Trial Chamber II had issued an warrant of arrest against Mr Ngaïssona on 7 December 2018 for his alleged criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the western part of the Central African Republic (CAR) between at least 5 December 2013 and at least December 2014.
Mr. Ngaïssona – who was the most senior leader and the “National General Coordinator” of the Anti-Balaka – is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in various locations in the CAR, including Bangui, Bossangoa, the Lobaye Prefecture, Yaloké, Gaga, Bossemptélé, Boda, Carnot and Berberati. Among the counts of war crimes for which Mr. Ngaïssona is accused, are the crimes of intentionally directing an attack against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in humanitarian assistance; intentionally directing an attack against buildings dedicated to religion; and the enlistment and use of child soldiers.
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