ICC Concludes Cooperation Agreement with Colombia [1]
On October 28, 2021, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) concluded a Cooperation Agreement [3] with Colombia. According to an ICC press release [4], the agreement renewed “the commitment of the Office to Colombia’s national accountability processes.” The Office of the Prosecutor determined that Colombia actively investigates and prosecutes Rome Statute crimes, and, in light of this, the preliminary examination must be closed. The agreement is based on the complementary principle under the Rome Statute which states that the ICC only complements domestic courts’ efforts, and that the court will step in only when the state is not willing or is unable to prosecute. Under the agreement, Colombia undertakes to continue to protect and fund its existing constitutional and legislative frameworks, as well as ensure the independence of these systems their independence. The Office of the Prosecutor undertakes, inter alia, to support Colombia’s accountability efforts and assist with efforts to raise awareness about the ICC among the Colombian legal profession.