INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
Four stage process to change the law
1
Proposal
Any state which has ratified (officially agreed to) the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) may propose an amendment. There are currently 123 of these “States Parties”.
2
Admissibility
This requires a majority of those present and voting at the next annual assembly of the ICC to agree that the amendment can be considered. One state, one vote.
3
Adoption
This requires at least a 2/3 majority of States Parties (currently 82/123) to be in favour of the amendment. It is likely to take place at a special Crime Review Conference, where the final text of the amendment will be discussed and agreed amongst States Parties.
4
Ratification
States Parties can then ratify (officially submit their agreement) and must bring the law into force in their national legislation one year later.
