United Nations General Assembly affirms support for ICC

This picture taken on September 5, 2011 shows the International Criminal Court's building in The Hague. The United Nations General Assembly August 22, 2013 reaffirmed its support for the International Criminal Court, describing the court as an important instrument in efforts to end impunity and uphold the rule of law.

What you need to know:

  • 193-nation body adopts by consensus a resolution asserting that the ICC "has achieved considerable progress in its analyses, investigations and judicial proceedings in various situations and cases."
  • Resolution makes no mention of the cases against President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.
  • The General Assembly calls for universal membership of the ICC.

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday reaffirmed its support for the International Criminal Court, describing the court as an important instrument in efforts to end impunity and uphold the rule of law.

The 193-nation body adopted by consensus a resolution asserting that the ICC "has achieved considerable progress in its analyses, investigations and judicial proceedings in various situations and cases."

The resolution made no mention of the cases against President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.

UNIVERSAL MEMBERSHIP

Kenya did not speak during the General Assembly's consideration of the resolution, nor was it or any other African country among the 59 states that sponsored the resolution.

The General Assembly also called for universal membership of the ICC. A total of 122 countries are currently state parties to the statute establishing the court.

Sudan's representative reminded the assembly that his country does not recognise the ICC.

"Therefore, we do not recognise decisions adopted by that court," he said.

Sudan President Omar al-Bashir has been indicted by the ICC on charges of genocide and war crimes in the Darfur region.

President Bashir is the subject of the two international arrest warrants issued by the ICC.