Coalition for the International Criminal Court
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Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan has not yet signed or ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), however it has demonstrated its commitment to international justice and the fight against impunity by including some provisions of the Rome Statute into the new Criminal Code that entered into force on September 1, 2000. This Criminal Code provides for criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity and war crimes, reflecting the definitions of the Rome Statute. More recently the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan has expressed interest in holding a conference on the ICC in Baku on April 5-6, 2006, that is being organized by the Georgia-based International Center on Conflict and Negotiation (ICCN), the coordinator of the South Caucasus Coalition for the ICC.

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court and its members are now calling on Azerbaijan to take a step forward in its commitment to international justice and accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as possible.

The Commonwealth of Independent States is among the most underrepresented regions in the ICC system; only two countries, Georgia and Tajikistan, have signed and ratified the Rome Statute, although positive developments are taking place in several other countries in this region, including Ukraine and Moldova. Azerbaijan's entry into the Court would not only help this region to gain a stronger voice within the Court, it would also contribute toward strengthening this region's participation in the establishment of the ICC as a truly effective mechanism for justice.

The Rome Statute came into force in July 2002 and now has the support of more than half of the world's nations. With Mexico's ratification in October 2005, the symbolic milestone of the 100th ratification was reached.


Take action now!

Support the CICC's appeal by sending letters by mail or fax urging the government of Azerbaijan to accede to the Rome Statute and implement it into national law.

Send your letter to:

President: H.E. Ilham Aliyev

[email protected]
Fax: + 99 412 492 3543

Prime Minister: H.E. Artur Tahir oğlu Rasizadə

Fax : + 99 412 498 9786




Your Excellency:

I am writing to urge your government to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The Commonwealth of Independent States is among the most underrepresented regions in the ICC system, and to date only two states, Georgia and Tajikistan, have joined this historic institution, although positive developments are taking place in other countries of the region, including Ukraine and Moldova. Azerbaijan plays an important regional role, and its ratification could set an example for other countries in the region to support this new institution and strength the guarantee that the most serious violations against human rights and humanitarian law will no longer remain unpunished.

The Rome Statute came into force in July 2002 and now has the support of more than half of the world's nations. With Mexico's ratification last October, the symbolic milestone of the 100th ratification was reached.

Azerbaijan's entry into the Court will help this region to gain a stronger voice within the Court, and will also strengthen its participation in establishing the ICC as a truly effective mechanism for justice.

At a time when the ICC is beginning its important work to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, it is vital that the Court continue to receive support from the international community. Azerbaijan's accession would demonstrate staunch support for this new international justice system.


Sincerely,