Adequate Financial and Political Backing Is Crucial as First Cases Begin

(The Hague, September 3, 2004) - States that have ratified the treaty
establishing the International Criminal Court must provide the necessary
financial and political support for the court as it begins its first field
investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity, Human Rights
Watch said today. The ICC's annual Assembly of States Parties is set to
meet in The Hague from September 6 to 10.

"Now that the ICC is beginning to reach out to witnesses and victims, we
expect these states to step up to the plate and provide the appropriate
funds for the court to do its job," said Richard Dicker, director of Human
Rights Watch's International Justice program. "It's not about giving the
court a blank check, but making sure that the ICC has the necessary
financial and political backing for this critical phase of its work."

The ICC has already begun investigations into crimes against humanity and
war crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Both
situations were referred to the ICC prosecutor by the governments of the
countries themselves, demonstrating a clear need for the court. Human
Rights Watch noted that these investigations mark a significant new phase
in the ICC's work that will highlight the importance of the court in
bringing justice to victims and fighting impunity. The investigations will
also present the court for the first time with the difficult challenge of
gathering evidence on the most serious crimes, which involve thousands of
victims and complex legal issues.

"The court will face tough issues, such as providing protection for
victims and witnesses, and getting states to cooperate with its
investigations," said Dicker. "To meet these challenges, the court will
need financial resources and the political will of supportive states."

The Assembly of States Parties represents all of the member states of the
ICC. It has the responsibility to provide management oversight to the
court and ensure it functions effectively. Human Rights Watch said that in
addition to providing necessary funds, the body should work to promote
universal acceptance of the ICC treaty, assist countries in implementing
legislation to facilitate cooperation with the court, and aid the court in
any instances of non-cooperation by states.

The International Criminal Court can prosecute genocide, war crimes, and
crimes against humanity when national judicial systems are unable or
unwilling to do so. The ICC, based in The Hague, has broad international
support. Currently, 94 countries have ratified the Rome Statue
establishing the court, and nearly 140 have signed this treaty.

For more information about the ICC, see http://hrw.org/campaigns/icc/

Human Rights Watch Press release