Preamble

• Author: International Criminal Court
• Pages: 1-1

1

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

PREAMBLE

The States Part ies to this Statute,

Consciou s that all peoples are united by common bonds, their cultures pieced together

in a shared heritage, and concerned that this delicate mosaic may be shattered at any

time,

Mindfu l that during this century millions of children, women and men have been

victims of unimaginable atrocities that deeply shock the conscience of humanity,

Recognizing that such grave crimes threaten the peace, security and well-being of

the world,

Aff‌irming that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as

a whole must not go unpunished and that their effective prosecution must be ensured

by taking measures at the national level and by enhancing international cooperation,

Determ ined to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes and thus

to contribute to the prevention of such crimes,

Recalling that it is the duty of every State to exercise its criminal jurisdiction over

those responsible for international crimes,

Reaff‌irming the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and

in particular that all States shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the

territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner

inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations,

Emphasizing in this connection that nothing in this Statute shall be taken as

authorizing any State Party to intervene in an armed conf‌lict or in the internal affairs

of any State,

Determ ined to these ends and for the sake of present and future generations, to

establish an independent permanent International Criminal Court in relationship with

the United Nations system, with jurisdiction over the most serious crimes of concern

to the international community as a whole,

Emphasizing that the International Criminal Court established under this Statute

shall be complementary to national criminal jurisdictions,

Resolved to guarantee lasting respect for and the enforcement of international justice,

Have agreed as follows: