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PGA’s vision is to contribute to the creation of a Rules-Based International Order for a more equitable, safe, sustainable and democratic world.

Central African Republic and the Rome Statute

PGA Members in the Central-African Republic (CAR) have been working on promoting a strengthening of the Rule of Law and of the fight against impunity in the country since 2009. In 2015, PGA’s National Group in CAR played a key role in the adoption of the bill creating the SCC. Since 2017, PGA Members chairing the Legislation Committee of the National Assembly – Hon. Laurent Ngon-Baba, and then Hon. Roland Achille Bangue-Betangaï – have been working with PGA’s Secretariat on improving and strengthening the domestic legal framework on the fight against impunity.

Signature, Ratification of/Accession to the Rome Statute of the ICC
Signature Date: 7 December 1999
Ratification Date: 3 October 2001
Amendments to the Rome Statute
Ratification of the Kampala Amendment to Article 8 of the Rome Statute on war crimes [poison and expanding bullets in NIAC] (2010): No
Ratification of the Kampala Amendment to the Rome Statute on the crime of aggression reflected in Article 8 bis (2010): No
Ratification of the Amendment to Article 124 of the Rome Statute (2015): No
Ratification of the Amendment to Article 8 of the Rome Statute on war crimes [biological weapons] (2017): No
Ratification of the Amendment to Article 8 of the Rome Statute on war crimes [blinding laser weapons] (2017): No
Ratification of the Amendment to Article 8 of the Rome Statute on war crimes [non-detectable fragments] (2017): No
Ratification of the Amendments to Article 8 of the Rome Statute on war crimes [starvation as a war crime in NIAC] (2019): No
Adoption of implementation legislation of the Rome Statute of the ICC

The Central-African Criminal Code was modified by a bill n°10.001 of 6 January 2010 to partially implement the substantial provisions of the Rome Statute. The Code also makes references to the general principles under the Rome Statute except for the “Responsibility of commanders and other superiors. The Code of Criminal Procedure was modified by a bill n°10.002 of 6 January 2010 and now includes provisions regarding cooperation with the ICC. Since 2017, PGA’s Secretariat has been providing technical assistance to PGA Members to improve and strengthen the domestic legal framework on the fight against impunity. On 22 April 2015, CAR also created a Special Criminal Court, tasked with prosecuting international crimes committed in the country, alongside ordinary domestic courts and the ICC.
Cooperation Agreements
Ratification of Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Court (APIC): Yes, acceded on 6 October 2006.
Signature of Agreement of Enforcement Sentences with the ICC: No.
Signature of Agreement of Interim and Final Release with the ICC: No.
Signature of Bilateral Immunity Agreement with the USA: Yes, signed at Washington and Bangui on 13 and 19 January 2004 and entered into force on 19 January 2004.
Key Documents

Status of the Rome Statute System as of February 2024:

 
States that have ratified the Rome Statute [124]
 
States that have signed the Rome Statute but have not ratified it yet [30]
 
States that have withdrawn from the Rome Statute [2]
 
States that have neither signed nor ratified the Rome Statute
 

124 countries are States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Of these, 33 are African States, 19 are Asia-Pacific States, 19 are from Eastern Europe, 28 are from Latin American and Caribbean States, and 25 are from Western European and other States.

Work of PGA in this Country:

Rebels in Northern CAR. Photo: hdptcar

PGA expresses solidarity with the victims of the armed conflict in Central African Republic

PGA calls for the International Community to support a genuine process of peace-making, stabilization and State-building based on the respect of human rights, justice and democracy

Ali Kushayb is a former commander of the Janjaweed, the government-backed militias who earned notoriety for their brutal attacks in Darfur. Photo: VOA

The Central African Republic transfers Ali Kushayb to the International Criminal Court

Ali Kushayb is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur (Sudan) between 2002 and 2004.

Parliamentarians and experts met in Banjul to explore mechanisms designed to provide accountability for serious human rights violations and international crimes.

African Parliamentarians gather in Banjul to discuss accountability mechanisms for serious human rights violations and international crimes

On 3 and 4 July 2019, the National Assembly of the Gambia hosted over 40 participants, representing more than 15 African States, to participate in the Working Group on the Fight against Impunity in Africa.

PGA has closely observed the situation in Sudan since the UN Commission of Enquiry on Darfur issued a report recommending that the UN Security Council refer the situation in Sudan/Darfur to the jurisdiction of the ICC.

Parliamentarians around the world welcome the arrest of ICC fugitive, Sudanese President al-Bashir

At this crucial juncture for the future of Sudan, PGA calls upon all relevant parties engaged in the reconstruction of democracy and the Rule of Law to undertake the following changes...

MINUSCA peacekeepers patrol the enclave of PK5 in Bangui. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe.

PGA Members in the Central-African National Assembly call on the international community to ensure peace-keeping efforts are strengthened and reformed

We have been alarmed by recent reports about the inaction of the United Nations peace-keeping operation MINUSCA ) in the face of the commission of atrocities by armed groups.

The 10th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court and the Rule of Law (CAP-ICC) and 40th Annual Forum of PGA took place 16-17 November 2018 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

10th CAP-ICC and 40th Annual Forum of PGA

Parliament of Ukraine in Kyiv, 16-17 November 2018.

More than twenty Central-African parliamentarians listened to and exchanged with experts from civil society and the criminal justice system.

Strengthening of the framework for fighting impunity in Central-African Republic: parliamentarians reaffirm their commitment

On 4 and 5 October 2018, Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) organised in the National Assembly of the Central-African Republic (CAR), in Bangui, a Technical Seminar on Strengthening the Legal Framework of the Fight against Impunity.

Parliamentarians from Francophone African Countries have sent a strong message confirming their commitment to the Rule of Law and Justice by adopting the Action Plan Lomé 2016

Second Meeting of the Working Group on the fight against impunity in Francophone Africa

The Working Group on the fight against impunity in Francophone African countries held its second meeting on 10 and 11 November 2016, in Lomé (Togo).

PGA Members from across the African continent and the rest of the world have chosen to stand up for justice and are asking their South-African peers to make sure that the withdrawal does not go through.

PGA Members Call on South African MPs to Stand Against Impunity in reaction to South African Government’s Decision to Withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

News broke today that the Government of South Africa has notified the United Nations Secretary General of its intention to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

On 22 April 2015, the bill establishing a Special Criminal Court in CAR was signed into law.

Parliament of the Central African Republic adopts the law establishing a Special Criminal Court

Central African Republic (CAR) adopted by a large majority, on 22 April 2015, the bill establishing a Special Criminal Court in CAR

On 22 April 2015, the bill establishing a Special Criminal Court in CAR was signed into law.

PGA welcomes the adoption by the Central African Parliament of the law establishing a Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic

PGA congratulates the National Transitional Council of the Central African Republic which adopted the bill establishing a Special Criminal Court in CAR.

Parliamentary Conference to Give Full Effect to the Principle of Complementarity in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 17 July 2014

PGA Supports the Creation of a Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic

PGA strongly supports the creation of a Special Criminal Court to fight against impunity for the international crimes committed since 2012 in the territory of the Central African Republic (CAR).

Thousands of civilians are estimated to have been killed in CAR and there are reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity and war crimes have been committed in a widespread manner.

PGA Welcomes the Opening of a Second Investigation in CAR by the Prosecution of the ICC

PGA welcomes the decision of the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to open a second investigation in CAR with respect to crimes allegedly committed since 2012.

The meeting highlighted the three main focus areas of the work of the ICC namely ending impunity, prevention of atrocity crimes and providing justice for victims.

First Annual High-Level Meeting of the “Group of Friends of the ICC”

Proposal for an annual high-level meeting in April of the “Group of Friends of the ICC” to highlight the importance of the ICC in relation to accountability, prevention and justice for victims.

The discussions brought together over 85 Legislators from the recently elected parliament of the Central African Republic.

Parliamentary Consultations on the Rule of Law & Justice in the Central African Republic

In the context of the ongoing peace consolidation efforts in the Central African Republic, this parliamentary conference provided a platform to discuss the role of international justice and the Rule of Law in the peace-building process, including the stre

All the participants united their voices regarding the need for broader and more effective cooperation amongst international organizations and governments to execute the pending arrest warrants issued by the ICC.

Roundtable: The fight against impunity in the Central African region and the challenges of effective cooperation with the International Criminal Court

On the occasion of PGA’S 32nd Annual Forum on Empowering women; building Human Security, Members of Parliament from the Central African region gathered to discuss the current status of implementing legislation of the Rome Statute in their respective c

Publication

Parliamentary Kit on the International Criminal Court
Parliamentary Kit on the International Criminal Court

Parliamentary Kit on the International Criminal Court

It is imperative that the Rome Statute be ratified universally for the successful functioning of the Court. Parliamentarians should ensure that the ICC is truly universal.

Description

Created by the Rome Statute, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is the first permanent and independent international court capable of investigating and bringing to justice individuals who commit the most serious violations of international criminal law, international humanitarian law, and human rights.

The Rome Statute defines the crimes under the Court’s jurisdiction and provides the general principles and procedures for the operation of the Court. It also outlines the cooperation obligations of its State Parties. It is imperative that the Rome Statute be ratified universally for the successful functioning of the Court. Parliamentarians should ensure that the ICC is truly universal.

PDF(s)

Additional Details

  • Publication Type: Toolkit
  • Author(s): Parliamentarians for Global Action

Publication

Handbook for Parliamentarians: National Nomination of Judicial Candidates for the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Handbook for Parliamentarians: National Nomination of Judicial Candidates for the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Handbook for Parliamentarians: National Nomination of Judicial Candidates for the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Description

The ICC is the first and only permanent independent court with the mandate to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for committing international crimes, namely genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. Its 18 judges from around the world, elected for a nine-year term, play a key role in ensuring this expectation is lived up to through their primary mandate to render authoritative and high-quality jurisprudence and guarantee fair trials.

Therefore, the quality of the judges has fundamental importance to the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the ICC, which is at the heart of the long-term success of the ICC and the Rome Statute system as a whole. In this handbook, PGA sets forth specific criteria and recommendations for Parliamentarians to encourage their governments to improve national nomination procedures for ICC judicial candidates and adopt good practices and requirements to ensure these processes are fair, transparent, and merit-based. The goal of robust nomination procedures is to ensure that only candidate judges or jurists of the highest caliber make it on the ballot.

PDF(s)

Additional Details

  • Publication Type: Handbook
  • Author(s): Parliamentarians for Global Action

Publication

Handbook: Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Handbook: Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Handbook: Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Description

It is our honor and privilege to present to you the Third Edition of the Handbook on the Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression to the Rome Statute of the ICC.

It is the product of our collaborative effort aimed at assisting States in ratifying the amendments adopted by consensus in Kampala and helping criminalize the most serious forms of the illegal use of force.

PDF(s)

Additional Details

  • Publication Type: Handbook
  • Author(s): Permanent Mission of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United Nations; Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression; Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University (LISD); (Drafting Assistance by PGA)