ROME STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
PREAMBLE
The
States Parties to this Statute,
Conscious
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,
Mindful
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,
Determined
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,
Determined
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
Part 1