The Rome Statute and the advent of the International Criminal Court; an account by the French chief negotiator

Abstract
The adoption of the Rome Statute was an extraordinary achievement in view of the deep divisions among the states participating in the diplomatic conference which pitted the like-minded states against the sovereignty-minded states with the active participation of non-governmental organisations. The first group of states accepted a number of compromises in order to ensure the signature of the statute by members of the second group. Ultimately, these last-minute deals did not succeed in creating a universal court. France found itself torn between the two groups because of its complex and conflicting national and broader interests, but managed to sign the statute. The problems facing today’s International Criminal Court still reflect these intense and not entirely successful negotiations.

Biography of the Speaker
Marc Perrin de Brichambaut is a member of the French Conseil d’Etat, supreme court for administrative justice. He has served in a number of international assignments including as director for legal affairs of the Foreign Ministry of France and as Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He was in charge of the French delegation during the negotiations leading to the adoption of the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court.