Introduced By: Senators Flynn and Blais
Date Introduced : March 24, 1999
WHEREAS, On December 17, 1996 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court; and
WHEREAS, It is expected that this resolution will result in a treaty to be presented to all members of the United Nations including the United States; and
WHEREAS, Upon the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators present and approval by the President of the United States, our nation shall be bound by this treaty; and
WHEREAS, The legal implications of such a treaty are unknown at best and perilous to the sovereignty of the United States and its ability to guarantee the legal protections in the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, Among those rights guaranteed by our Constitution, the rights specified in Amendments IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII would, in particular, be in danger of not being recognized by an International Criminal Court; and
WHEREAS, The United States of America is unique in its protection of the inalienable rights of its citizens, and any participation in an International Criminal Court can only endanger the legal protection of U.S. citizens; and
WHEREAS, The State Senate of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations opposes any compromises to the legal protections of its citizens guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the State Senate of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is unalterably opposed to the signing of any agreement and/or the ratification of any treaty that seeks to establish an International Criminal Court, make the United States a participatory party to such a court, or recognize the jurisdiction of such a court within the United States or over any native-born or naturalized citizen of the United States of America; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Senate urges members of the Senate of the United States, and the legislators from Rhode Island to oppose ratification of this treaty to make the United States a participant in the International Criminal Court; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, President, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20500; the Honorable John Chafee, 505 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, and the Honorable Jack Reed, 339 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510.
