ASSEM refers to the acronym for the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The ASSEM is a governing body that was established to manage the operational and administrative aspects of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC, created through the Rome Statute in 1998, is an international tribunal that investigates and prosecutes individuals who have committed serious crimes of concern to the international community, such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. The ASSEM is composed of representatives from the countries that have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute.
The primary functions of the ASSEM include electing the judges and the Prosecutor of the ICC, adopting rules of procedure and evidence, approving the budget and contributions, and supervising the administration of the ICC. It serves as a forum for member states to discuss and make decisions on how the court is run and to provide general guidance on its policies and priorities.
ASSEM meetings usually take place once a year at the United Nations headquarters in New York or at the seat of the ICC in The Hague. During these meetings, member states come together to review the progress of the Court, exchange views on pertinent issues, and make decisions that shape the future of the ICC.
Overall, ASSEM is a crucial international body that plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effective and efficient functioning of the International Criminal Court in its mission to promote justice and accountability for the most serious crimes under international law.
