Every year, the Assembly of States Parties (or ASP) meets in either New York or The Hague to talk about how the International Criminal Court (ICC) is doing – and what can be done better. While a lot of their talks cover the Court’s budget or legal procedures, one of the most important topics lately has been how to prevent crimes against humanity before they happen.
This year’s meeting focused heavily on prevention, which is a big deal given the ongoing violence and mass abuses happening in different parts of the world.
What Happens During the Session
Over about eight days, many discussions, meetings, and events take place. Civil society groups and NGOs continue to advocate for a fair and independent Court. They do this through reports, letters, meetings, press briefings, and other activities.
General Debate
Each year, a general debate is held where participants talk about the ASP’s work and broader issues related to international justice under the Rome Statute.
States are encouraged to use this chance to show their support for ending impunity and to share their views on various issues. Civil society groups also take part by delivering statements that highlight concerns not always covered in the official agenda.
Usually, 10 to 12 NGOs speak during the general debate. This is important because it gives these organizations a voice and allows them to share how they can assist states parties. The points raised by civil society often influence the decisions made by the states throughout the session.
Side Events
In addition to the formal meetings, civil society groups organize many side events. These provide a platform for dialogue between NGOs, the ICC, and states.
The relationship between NGOs, the ASP, and the ICC is very close, allowing for constructive cooperation throughout the session.
Why Prevention Is Gaining More Prominence
You might wonder: isn’t the ICC about punishing people after crimes happen? That’s true. The Court prosecutes those responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity – but only after the fact.
That’s why this year, a lot of the discussion was about stopping these terrible crimes before they get out of hand. Crimes against humanity – things like mass killings, torture, and forced displacement – don’t have their own dedicated international treaty yet. Unlike genocide, where there’s a clear treaty, this gap makes it harder to hold states accountable or stop violence early.
Many countries at the meeting said it’s time to change that. They talked about a proposed treaty, still in draft form, that would require countries to pass laws against crimes against humanity and cooperate internationally to prevent them.
Civil society groups backed this idea, saying without a strong, binding treaty, efforts to stop atrocities will stay inconsistent and slow.
Why Civil Society’s Voice Matters
One of the most powerful parts of the ASP sessions is hearing from NGOs and local groups. These organizations often have a front-row seat to problems on the ground and can warn about dangers before governments do.
During the meeting’s general debate, NGOs brought up concerns that sometimes don’t get enough attention otherwise – like how hate speech or incitement can lead to violence, or how communities can help spot warning signs early.
They also held side events sharing updates on places like Myanmar, Sudan, and Ethiopia – countries where crimes against humanity are a real threat.
Looking Forward
The ASP can’t prevent crimes against humanity by itself. But by pushing prevention higher on the agenda, it’s helping states understand that justice after the fact isn’t enough.
The hope is that, with stronger laws, better early warning systems, and more support for victims and communities, the world can catch atrocities before they happen – or at least reduce their scale.
This year’s session was a reminder that preventing crimes against humanity requires ongoing effort, political will, and listening to the people affected the most.