Human Rights First’s Role

Human Rights First has been working to promote ICC ratification and implementation since the adoption of the Statute in Rome on 17 July 1998. We promote initiatives aimed at strengthening national legal systems so as to enable them to investigate and prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, in line with international standards.

In many cases the main obstacle to national implementation is a lack of technical expertise and human resources. In a few targeted countries, Human Rights First undertakes partnerships with local actors in intensive projects within the relevant country. By building the expertise of local groups and experts, including government experts, on how to implement the Rome Statute, we aim to place our local partners in a position to play a full and active role in the process of combating impunity for serious human rights atrocities that amount to crimes under international law.

This approach aims to enhance capacity among the NGOs, lawyers and judges who will be primarily responsible for applying legislation or making sure it is properly enforced. A particular hallmark of this approach is a sustained partnership with local groups, based on mutual capacity building.

In other countries where our involvement is less intensive, we submit comments on draft legislation or find ways to support local partners who are seeking to encourage governments to move forward with the process of implementing the Rome Statute’s provisions in domestic law.

We also aim to encourage governments to adopt an open and transparent approach, and to involve civil society in the law reform process.