Contextualizing the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court

Abstract

This article seeks to demonstrate how the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Criminal Court relates to other documents of international law and thereby contributes to the independent functioning of the Court. In particular, it argues that the Agreement provides some duplication, but more importantly, the necessary extension, elaboration, and interpretation of the Rome Statute with regard to privileges and immunities. In comparison with other conventions on privileges and immunities of international organizations, the article concludes that the Agreement provides some important unprecedented provisions, but that the overwhelming part of the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities constitutes standard provisions for such agreements.