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On 27 November 2013 the Assembly of State Parties to the Rome Statute agreed to adopt a package of new rules on procedures for trials at the International Criminal Court (ICC). These rule changes will allow for an accused with high level public duties to fulfil to be excused from attending the trial in person with representation through lawyers instead, and for the use of video conference in certain parts of ICC trials. Decisions on when to use these rules will be made independently by the Court.

Foreign Office Minister Mark Simmonds said:

I welcome the package of new rules adopted yesterday at the ICC Assembly of State Parties, and the constructive working partnership between the UK, Kenya and all other States Parties.

These changes agreed will help address Kenyan and African Union’s concerns around trial procedures, while upholding the principles of justice and accountability. It is right that these issues were addressed as part of the dialogue between State Parties on the Court’s work.

The UK is strongly committed to the Rome Statute principles of delivering justice and ensuring accountability for the worst crimes. We welcome Kenya’s continued co-operation with the Court, and we will continue to engage with them and other ICC State Parties on this important work.

Further information

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