Latin American governments have been firm supporters of the ICC, actively engaging in efforts to ratify and implement the Rome Statute in the region. In collaboration with civil society organizations, academics, government officials and parliamentarians, advocacy efforts have mobilized diverse constituencies to consolidate Latin America as one of the Court’s staunchest supporters. To date, out of the 17 States in the region, 14 have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute of the ICC. El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua are the only countries that have yet to finalize their ratification processes in order to ensure a fully committed representation from this region.

Ensuring that governments follow up and implement the Rome Statute into national legislation is a key area of interest for the Coalition. Several countries – including Brazil and Bolivia – have advanced implementing legislation initiatives, while others, such as Peru, have undergone an extensive process of reform of their criminal code, including the adoption of a whole chapter on cooperation with the ICC. Other countries – like Ecuador, Mexico and Paraguay – have initiated such processes but still need to continue their efforts in order to harmonize their internal laws with the Rome Statute’s obligations.