U.S. Announces that It Will Unsign and Take Action Against ICC

On May 6, 2002 Marc Grossman, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, announced that the Bush Administration would inform the United Nations, as depository of the Rome Treaty, of the U.S. intention not to become part to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. On the same day, the U.S. mission to the U.N. notified the U.N. Secretary General in his capacity as the depository for the Rome Statute of the President?s decision. Mr. Grossman said that while the U.S. believes the persons who commit the most serious crimes of concern to the international community should be punished, the U.S. believes that states, not international institutions, are primarily responsible for ensuring justice in the international system. ?We believe that the best way to combat these serious offenses is to build domestic judicial system, strengthen political will and promote human freedom.? The U.S. has concluded that the ICC does not advance these principles. Grossman explained that the Bush Administration believes the ICC ?is an institution of unchecked power.? Grossman explained that a third reason is that the Rome treaty threatens U.S. sovereignty insofar as it claims the authority to detain and try U.S. citizens even thought the U.S. has not agreed to be bound by the treaty. A Fourth problem is that the current structure of the ICC undermines the democratic rights of the U.S. and could erode the fundamental elements of the U.N. Chapter, specifically the right to self defense.