Council Decision 2002/494/JHA of 13 June 2002 setting up a European network of contact points in respect of persons responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes

The purpose of this decision is to establish a network of European Union (EU) countries’ contact points with a view to improving cooperation in combating genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

All countries of the European Union (EU) have ratified the Rome Statute of 17 July 1998 setting up the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hear cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. However, the ICC remains complementary to national systems of criminal law. The investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes continue to be the responsibility of national authorities. Therefore, the EU is calling for closer cooperation between the relevant national authorities to ensure that these crimes will be combated successfully.