January 28, 2005

Citizens for Global Solutions Applauds Senator McCain’s Support of the International Criminal Court

Washington, DC -- In a BBC Worldservice televised debate before the World Economic Forum on Friday January 28th, Senator John McCain (R- AZ) declared his support for the United States joining the International Criminal Court (ICC), asserting: “I want us in the ICC.”

McCain’s comments drastically change the debate on the International Criminal Court, in part because the United Nations Commission of Inquiry report, expected to be released mid-next week, likely will recommend a UN Security Council referral of the Darfur situation to the ICC.

McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Service Committee, did raise concerns. “I’m not satisfied that there are enough safeguards,” he said. Nonetheless, his declaration at the World Economic Forum was the strongest indication to date that he would be in favor of the United States joining the ICC in the near future.

Speaking alongside McCain was Senator Joseph Biden (D- DE), ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Like McCain, Biden stood in support of the United States inclusion in the ICC, and likewise, expressed a desire to have greater safeguards for U.S. officials. Noting that European Union (EU) states had rejected the safeguards when the ICC’s statute was agreed in 1999, Biden declared, “that can change, should change, will change.”

The BBC World Television debate, in which McCain made his comments, will be broadcast again on The BBC World on Saturday.

McCain’s comments come at a critical time in the history of the International Criminal Court. The administration is debating internally and at the United Nations, the best method for justice and accountability in Darfur, western Sudan. Many observers expect a Security Council a debate over a referral of the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court.

Charles J. Brown, Citizens for Global Solutions’ President & CEO, who served as a member of the U.S. delegation to the Rome Conference on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court said: “We can only hope that such sentiments go from John McCain’s mouth to George Bush’s ear. The International Criminal Court promotes accountability for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It poses no threat to American interests and in fact reaffirms fundamental American values.

“As the crisis in Darfur, Sudan demonstrates, the world no longer can afford the luxury of creating ad hoc specialized tribunals. The ICC is the only option available to help bring a quick end to the genocide in Darfur,” said Brown.

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Sam Stein
Communications Associate
202 546 3950 ext 123

Charles J. Brown
President & CEO
202 546 3950 ext115