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 125 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 83/125) 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 ratify the amendment. One year after ratification, activities covered by the new crime of ecocide committed by that State Party’s nationals or on its territory will be within the jurisdiction of the ICC.
