Rome Statute enters into force in Palestine
[1 April 2015] - Following Palestine’s accession on 2 January 2015, the Rome Statute entered into force for Palestine on 1 April 2015. The Government of Palestine accepted, by means of a declaration under article 12(3) of the Statute, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction for crimes committed on the territory of Palestine since 13 June 2014. Potential crimes over which the ICC may exercise jurisdiction include, inter alia:
· Alleged war crimes committed in Gaza by all parties during “Operation Protective Edge”;
· Acts of torture or inhuman treatment;
· Unlawful deportation or transfer or unlawful confinement; and
· The transfer by the Occupying Power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.
On 16 January 2015, the Office of the Prosecutor announced the opening of a preliminary examination into the situation in Palestine in order to establish whether the Rome Statute criteria for opening an investigation are met. Specifically, the Prosecutor will consider issues of jurisdiction, admissibility and the interests of justice in making this determination.
