State Cooperation with the International Criminal Court under the Rome Statute

Abstract

State cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) is one of the fundamental principles established by the Rome Statute of 1998. Since the Court has no independent enforcement authority, it relies on States to execute arrest warrants, surrender suspects, collect evidence, protect witnesses, and provide judicial assistance. Such cooperation is essential for ensuring international justice and combating impunity for the most serious international crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. The Rome Statute imposes legal obligations on States Parties to cooperate fully with the Court, although political and legal challenges may hinder the effective implementation of these obligations. This study examines the legal basis of State cooperation with the ICC, analyzes the relevant provisions of the Rome Statute, and highlights the main  challenges affecting the implementation of these obligations