According to the ICC Statute, the court will have jurisdiction over war crimes,
"in particular when committed as part of a plan or policy or as part of a large-scale commission of such crimes". The list of war crimes in the Statute considerably expands on the "grave breaches" of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and covers both international and non-international armed conflicts.
Crimes against humanity consists of certain acts "when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population", in pursuit to a state or organizational policy to commit such attack. The acts in question include murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation abroad and forcible transfers within a state, arbitrary detention, torture, rape and other crimes of sexual violence, "disappearances", persecution, the crime of apartheid and other inhumane acts. Such crimes may be committed in war or peacetime, by state agents or members of armed political groups.
From 1 to 12 July, the Preparatory Commission of the International Criminal Court is meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York to complete its preparation of supplementary documents to the Rome Statute, including the draft First Year Budget of the Court and the procedure for electing the Judges and the Prosecutor.
In September 2002, the Assembly of States Parties will meet to approve the work of the Preparatory Commission. In January 2003 it is expected that it will meet again to elect the Judges and the Prosecutor. An inauguration event for the judges is planned to take place in The Hague.
"in particular when committed as part of a plan or policy or as part of a large-scale commission of such crimes". The list of war crimes in the Statute considerably expands on the "grave breaches" of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and covers both international and non-international armed conflicts.
Crimes against humanity consists of certain acts "when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population", in pursuit to a state or organizational policy to commit such attack. The acts in question include murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation abroad and forcible transfers within a state, arbitrary detention, torture, rape and other crimes of sexual violence, "disappearances", persecution, the crime of apartheid and other inhumane acts. Such crimes may be committed in war or peacetime, by state agents or members of armed political groups.
From 1 to 12 July, the Preparatory Commission of the International Criminal Court is meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York to complete its preparation of supplementary documents to the Rome Statute, including the draft First Year Budget of the Court and the procedure for electing the Judges and the Prosecutor.
In September 2002, the Assembly of States Parties will meet to approve the work of the Preparatory Commission. In January 2003 it is expected that it will meet again to elect the Judges and the Prosecutor. An inauguration event for the judges is planned to take place in The Hague.