France and the United Kingdom were among the 57 states who today sent a letter asking the U.N.  Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. The 3 other permanent members of the Council, China, Russia, and the United States, were not signatories.

Of note given last week’s post, this letter, initiated by Switzerland and available in full here, contains language that implies a request for a more robust resolution than those previously approved for Darfur and Libya. Specifically, it asks:

• For a referral “without exceptions and irrespective of alleged perpetrators,” phrasing that may be inferred as an argument against any ex ante grant of immunity; and
• For “the Council to fully commit the necessary resources,” the last word often a synonym for monetary, as well as other, support for any ICC efforts that would ensue.