Council of Delegates 1999: Resolution 11

Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Geneva, Switzerland, 29 - 30 October 1999

The Council of Delegates,

deeply alarmed by the large-scale and continuing violations of international humanitarian law, both in international and in non-international armed conflicts,

 recalling the obligation of States to suppress and repress violations of international humanitarian law,

 noting with great satisfaction the adoption of the Rome Statute for the creation of the International Criminal Court as a complementary tool for a more effective repression of war crimes,

 considering the efforts already undertaken by the Preparatory Commission for the International Criminal Court with a view to draft the Elements of Crime and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence,

 taking note with appreciation of the previous contributions of the ICRC and the International Federation to the negotiating process and the on-going efforts of the ICRC, especially to assist States in the drafting of the Elements of War Crimes,

1. invites National Societies to support all these efforts and to promote the ratification of the Rome Statute without making the declaration under Art. 124 of the Rome Statute, while at the same time encouraging States to comply with their existing obligation under international humanitarian law to suppress and repress violations of this law;

2. requests the ICRC to continue to participate actively in the ongoing negotiations in the Preparatory Commission, especially to work that the " acquis " with regard to international humanitarian law are properly reflected in the document on the Elements of Crimes;

3. further requests the ICRC, in consultation with the International Federation, to follow developments closely, to actively keep National Societies informed, and to report to the 2001 session of the Council of Delegates on progress made in establishing an International Criminal Court.