ICC preparatory panel concerned over criminal court's linkage to UN peacekeeping

The preparatory body for the International Criminal Court (ICC) - the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal - today voiced its concern about current developments in the United Nations Security Council, where objections by the United States to the Court have stalled the extension of the mandate for the UN peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.

In a statement read out by Chairman Philippe Kirsch of Canada, the Preparatory Commission said it was "mindful" of the UN Charter, particularly the provisions relating to the powers and functions of the Security Council, and appealed to Council members "to ensure an outcome of those developments, which fully respects the letter and spirit of the Rome Statute" of the ICC.

The Commission, which is meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, also called on all States to safeguard "the independent and effective functioning of the International Criminal Court that is complementary to national jurisdictions."