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Updates on Iran

31 Dec 2005

Iran attended the third Assembly of States Parties at the Hague in September 2004 and reported that the parliament would have to decide on ratification which is not a political priority at this time. Iran continues to express its need to ensure the Statute’s compatibility with Shariah law.

Iran sent legal officials as observers to the Assembly of States Parties in September 2003. Discussions pertaining to ratification to the Rome Statute have been taking place in the Cabinet and the process is expected to turn to the Parliament. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been involved in the discussion, however, ratification of the Rome Statute has not been considered a priority. Iran's constantly reforming government has further delayed ratification. There appears to be no major political obstacles regarding Iran's ratification of the ICC.

Officials have stated that the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Director for Legal Affairs of the Foreign Ministry are conducting a study of the Rome Statute from the perspective of domestic and Sharia law.

A workshop took place in 2002 to examine the implications of the completed Rules of Procedure and Evidence and Elements of Crimes for the national legal codes. Iran remains particularly interested in the definition of aggression.