Preparing for the ICC

The long process leading to the establishment of the ICC involved NPWJ in an ongoing commitment through active participation in all phases of negotiations. This included fostering a strong mobilisation of opinion leaders and decision-makers in order to ensure the convocation of the Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries for the Establishment of the International Criminal Court, on 17 July 1998 in Rome, during which the Rome Statute was adopted.
 
During and since the Rome Conference, NPWJ has implemented its Judicial Assistance Program, whereby legal advisers are seconded to government delegations lacking personnel or technical capacity who have requested assistance in following and participating in the negotiations. To date, some 12 countries have benefits from up to 35 NPWJ-seconded legal advisers who are experts in international law, including jurists, lawyers and University Professors and researchers. Starting in 2001, NPWJ has also been seconding legal experts to Government Missions on a more permanent basis. In some cases, NPWJ has seconded longer-term consultants working in the various capitals assisting in the drafting of implementing legislation for the ICC and other issues of accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.
 
NPWJ also continues to include a strong presence at the subsequent Preparatory Committees, where supporting documents such as the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and the Elements of Crimes were negotiated.