The implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in Uganda and South Africa; a critical analysis

Abstract

The thesis examines the extent to which the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Rome Statute) has been implemented by Uganda and South Africa. State parties to the Rome Statute are expected to perform their obligations under the Statute in good faith. This entails conducting investigations and prosecutions for ICC crimes by virtue of the principle of complementarity, as well as fully cooperating with the ICC in its investigations and prosecutions where the state is unwilling or unable to do so. However, the Rome Statute does not provide clear guidance on what measures need to be undertaken by states to implement its provisions. This leaves states with the discretion to determine how best to give effect to the provisions of the Rome Statute. Drawing from the practices of various states, the thesis gives an overview of the ways through which the Rome Statute has been implemented and makes a detailed analysis of the case studies of Uganda and South Africa. The focus is on the national implementing legislation, institutions that enforce the legislation and resultant court decisions. The emerging challenges faced by institutions in implementing the Rome Statute are discussed and using examples of other states, solutions are suggested to eliminate these problems. The thesis argues that effective implementation of the Rome Statute at the national level requires not only enacting legislation to domesticate the Rome Statute but also actual enforcement of the legislation to ensure adherence with the law.