Guatemala becomes the 121st State to join the ICC’s Rome Statute system

Press Release: 03.04.2012

ICC-CPI-20120403-PR783

Guatemala deposits its instrument of accession to the Rome Statute of the ICC at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 2 April 2012 © UN/Win Khine

On 2 April 2012, the United Nations received from the Government of the Republic of Guatemala its instrument of accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Rome Statute will enter into force for Guatemala on 1 July 2012, bringing to 121 the total number of States Parties.

The ICC welcomed Guatemala's accession to the Rome Statute. The ICC President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, stated: “I am delighted that the statements made by Guatemala at the Review Conference of 2010 as well as the latest Assembly of States Parties concerning its intention to join the ICC have now fully materialised. With the historic step now taken by Guatemala, only two countries in Central America – El Salvador and Nicaragua – remain outside the Rome Statute system, and I hope they too will actively consider acceding to the treaty in the near future”.

The President of the Assembly of States Parties, Ms Tiina Intelmann, commented: “The accession by Guatemala is a testament to the will and steadfast determination of its people and its leaders to strengthen the rule of law and to contribute to the international endeavour to end impunity for egregious crimes”.

Source: http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/E2BBA18C-A830-4504-B9BE-6F118C3690F7.htm