Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
1998-07-17
Not ratified
Summary
The Rome Statute established the International Criminal Court (ICC) with jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. The United States signed the statute in 2000 under President Clinton but 'unsigned' it in 2002 under President Bush. The U.S. has consistently opposed ICC jurisdiction over American nationals, enacting legislation to protect U.S. servicemembers from ICC prosecution.
Parties
U.S. Implementing Legislation
American Service-Members' Protection Act of 2002
22 U.S.C. §§ 7421–7433
Restricts U.S. cooperation with the ICC, authorizes the President to use 'all means necessary' to release U.S. personnel detained by the ICC, and prohibits military assistance to ICC member states that have not signed bilateral immunity agreements.
Key Cases
No direct U.S. case law, but U.S. sanctions against ICC officials have generated international controversy