Originally published on the CGS blog on November 9, 2009.
Next Tuesday, November 17th, marks the 8th annual meeting of the Assembly of States Parties for the ICC. Agenda items include planning for the 2010 Review Conference, electing judges and preparing the budget. It would be great if the United States would be able to attend as an observer the Assembly of States Parties and the 2010 Review Conference.
As a signatory of the Rome Statue, the United States had the right to send a representative to the Assembly of States Parties and it’s important that we do so. Our attendance wouldn’t imply that we plan on ratifying the Rome Statute, instead it would just indicate our willingness to be a good neighbor to the Court. Attendance at the Assembly will be the first step towards a cooperative future.
Furthermore, a United States representative at the Assembly would have the ability to propose items to the agenda for the 2010 Review Conference. This is a great opportunity to have our concerns addressed. A cooperative future will be even more difficult to achieve if we do not attend.
Yet, the administration is not required to notify the States Parties or the American public of its decision. That means that we will not know if we have representation, and are thus encouraging future cooperation with the ICC, until the Assembly of States Parties meeting begins and there is someone sitting behind the United States placard. Until then, it is just a waiting game.
For more information about the ICC and the approaching Review Conference, click here.
