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Implementation in Gabon
Gabon ratified the ICC Statute on September 20, 2000 but has not yet completed its implementation process.
In 2003, great progress was achieved and draft legislation was produced by the Ministry of Justice following a series of workshops organized by the government of Gabon and the International Center for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy (ICCLIR) and supported by Human Rights First.
Two pieces of draft legislation resulted from these efforts. The first amends the Criminal Code of Gabon to incorporate the crimes of the Statute. The other amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and provides for key cooperation procedures.
These draft laws were discussed by prominent experts in Gabonese law. Human Rights First still has some concerns, and a number of preliminary comments made by Human Rights First before the draft was discussed in July 2002 remain relevant. It is hoped that the current drafts will soon be further revised in order to ensure their compatibility with the Rome Statute before being sent to Parliament.