Written question asked by Tony Worthington (Labour) on Thursday, 29 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 June 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Thursday, 5 June 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether, in negotiating a bilateral treaty for impunity from the International Criminal Court for American nationals, he has sought assurances from the United States that an American suspected of war crimes would be prosecuted in the United States for the full range of war crimes specified in the Rome Statute; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in negotiating a bilateral treaty for impunity from the International Criminal Court for American nationals, he has sought assurances from the United States that an American suspected of war crimes would be prosecuted in the United States for the full range of war crimes specified in the Rome Statute; and if he will make a statement. [116908] Mr. Rammell: There have been no negotiations on a bilateral non-surrender (to the ICC) Agreement with the US since officials met for preliminary discussion on 17 October 2002. In the course of those discussions, it was explained that before entering into any such agreement, the UK would need assurances that inter alia US courts have jurisdiction over all crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC as defined in the Statute.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 116908; 406 c552W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Exemptions International Criminal Court International courts Treaties War crimes USA
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk