On 23 January 2008, the Czech Cabinet passed a proposal for ratification of the Rome Statute.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice had been preparing this ratification proposal since January 2003. Throughout the same period, the Ministry of Justice had begun preparation of implementing legislation, which Justice Minister Mr. Pavel Rychetsky stressed was necessary in order for the Czech Republic to ratify the Rome Statute.

The Czech ratification process has proven to be a tough one, with the rejection of the first ratification bill that was submitted to Parliament back in the autumn of 2001. The proposed amendments to the Constitution, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as to the criminal code were also rejected, forcing the Czech government to redraft the ratification and implementation proposals.

The Prime Minister is expected to formally submit the ratification package that has just been approved by the Cabinet to the Parliament in the coming months.