International Criminal Court

HC Deb 19 March 2002 vol 382 cc194-5W

Ian Lucas

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards the establishment of the International Criminal Court. [43550]

Mr. MacShane

Good progress is being made towards the establishment of the International Criminal Court. The UK ratified in October 2001. 55 states have ratified to date.

The court will enter into force upon the 60th ratification of the Rome Statute. We expect the deposit of the 60th ratification this summer with the court entering into force by the end of this year. The United Kingdom is urging other states, in our bilateral contacts and with EU partners and associated states (in pursuance of the EU common position on the ICC) to ratify the Rome Statute.