Bill Summary
This resolution expresses the belief of the House of Representatives that the United States should join the International Criminal Court (ICC) by acceding to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC. The resolution highlights the importance of combating heinous crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes on a global scale. It also emphasizes the United States' history of supporting international criminal justice and its commitment to the principles of rule of law and accountability for these types of crimes. The resolution notes that the ICC operates on the principle of complementarity, meaning it only has jurisdiction in cases where a country is unable or unwilling to prosecute the accused. It also points out the benefits of the United States becoming a member of the ICC, including the ability to shape its activities and priorities, and the fact that many of the US's closest allies are already members. The resolution ultimately calls for the United States to join the ICC in line with its values, interests, and global leadership in the fight against impunity and for justice.
Possible Impacts
1. The legislation could potentially affect individuals who are accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide. If the United States becomes a full member of the International Criminal Court, they may be subject to prosecution by the Court.
2. The legislation could also affect victims of these crimes, as the United States becoming a member of the International Criminal Court could potentially provide them with access to justice and reparations.
3. The legislation may also have an impact on US foreign policy and relationships with other countries. Becoming a full member of the International Criminal Court could strengthen the US' commitment to global justice and cooperation with other countries in addressing atrocity crimes.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1058 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1058
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United
States should accede to the Rome Statute and become a full member of
the International Criminal Court.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 14, 2022
Ms. Omar (for herself, Ms. Jacobs of California, Mr. Carson, Ms.
Pressley, Mr. Bowman, Ms. Bush, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, and
Ms. Lee of California) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United
States should accede to the Rome Statute and become a full member of
the International Criminal Court.
Whereas the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes are
uniquely heinous and of global concern;
Whereas the United States has been a global leader in the field of international
criminal justice for atrocity crimes since the Nuremberg trials;
Whereas the fundamental principles of rule of law and accountability for
atrocity crimes are central to the United States' values and interests
at home and abroad;
Whereas the United States has demonstrated its commitment to these values and
interests by tangibly supporting numerous domestic, international, and
hybrid courts for atrocity crimes, including the International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal
for Rwanda, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the Extraordinary
Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, the Extraordinary African Chambers,
and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon;
Whereas the United States further demonstrates this commitment by being party to
the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide, the United Nations Convention Against Torture, and the Geneva
Conventions;
Whereas the United States further demonstrates this commitment by the existence
of dedicated offices at the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security
to pursuing and apprehending the perpetrators of atrocity crimes, as
well as the existence of a dedicated Office of Global Criminal Justice
at the Department of State;
Whereas the United States signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court on December 31, 2000, but has yet to accede to the statute and
join the Court as a full member;
Whereas the International Criminal Court is an important institution in the
global fight against impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity,
and genocide;
Whereas the International Criminal Court operates on the principle of
complementarity and as a court of last resort;
Whereas, because of these principles, the International Criminal Court does not
hold jurisdiction over countries that are willing and able to prosecute
those accused of atrocity crimes in their domestic courts;
Whereas, despite the United States not being a member of the Court,
administrations of both political parties have recognized its utility
for the national interests of the United States;
Whereas only by becoming a member of the International Criminal Court can the
United States credibly shape the Court's activities and priorities;
Whereas the vast majority of the United States' oldest and closest allies are
states parties to the International Criminal Court; and
Whereas it is in line with American values, interests, and proud history as a
global leader in the fight against impunity and for justice that the
United States becomes a full member of the International Criminal Court:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that
the United States should accede to the Rome Statute and become a full
member of the International Criminal Court.
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