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The International
Criminal Court (ICC) is the first new major international institution
of the 21st Century. It holds individuals accountable for genocide,
war crimes and crimes against humanity. It was formed as a universal
response to past and present atrocities. Its creation is the
culmination of fifty years of international efforts through
the United Nations to create a permanent international judicial
institution to try heinous crimes that are condemned by all
governments, religions, cultures and peoples.
AMICC is a coalition of non-governmental organizations committed to
achieving through education, information, promotion and an aroused public
opinion full United States support for the International Criminal Court and
the earliest possible US ratification of the Court's Rome Statute. AMICC
members believe that strong participation by the US in the ICC is essential
to the future of the Court as an effective institution. They take pride in
the historic role of the US in promoting the development of international
criminal law. They emphasize that the ICC expresses and implements values
traditionally championed by the United States, including international justice
and the rule of law.
The United States was a major pioneer of international courts from Nuremberg
to the International Criminal Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and in negotiations
for the ICC made significant contributions to its founding documents. However, under
President George W. Bush the US government actively opposed the Court.
Countries worldwide, including the closest friends of the United States, are
overwhelmingly committed to the Court as a historic achievement in the long struggle
against impunity for atrocities. As a result, the Rome Statute for the ICC came into
force on July 1, 2002, less than four years after its adoption. It has now been ratified
by over 110 countries. The United States, under President Obama, now promotes its interests
by participating in the work of the Assembly of States Parties as the Court's representative
body, and cooperates with the ICC. A strong and sustained US relationship with the Court
will be essential to achieving the understanding and familiarity which earliest possible
American ratification of the Statute requires. AMICC has been convened to ensure support for
that relationship with the Court by the American people and the US government's commitment
to it.
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