How strong is the support for the creation of an International Criminal Court?
One hundred and sixty States participated in the United Nations Diplomatic Conference (held in Rome from 15 June to 17 July 1998) which adopted the Statute establishing the International Criminal Court. Hundreds of representatives of non-governmental organizations contributed to this process. Fifty-five States, from all regions of the world, have already signed the Statute. Many States were unable to sign immediately due to constitutional requirements such as the need for prior approval by parliament, but are expected to sign in the near future. The vast majority of States that sign are expected to ratify. Sixty States need to ratify the Statute for the Court to come into existence. The draft text submitted to the Diplomatic Conference was full of competing options and had over 1400 brackets indicating disagreement on the text. Through working groups, informal negotiations and open debates, a very delicately balanced text emerged; a generally agreed solution was found for the many poli
