We, the undersigned, students and community residents of Mountain View, respectfully request that you pass an official resolution in favor of the US government joining the United Nations’ International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC was established by the Rome Statute and activated in 2002 to prosecute individuals, including government leaders, for genocide, crimes against humanity, and/or war crimes.

Since the ICC’s inception, the US government first under President Bush and now under President Obama, has refused to sign onto the Rome Statute and to join the Court—in contrast to 122 other countries that have already joined.

The official resolution that we request can be directed to President Obama. The resolution should urge him to sign onto the Rome Statute, thereby signaling the intention of the US government to join the 122 countries that have already done so and accept jurisdiction of the ICC. We understand that the Senate will need to ratify the treaty to make it official, but it must start with President Obama.

As young people and community members, we are deeply disturbed that the US government continues to oppose joining the ICC. Just as no police officer should be above domestic law, no government should be above international law and human rights standards. This most certainly applies to the US government, particularly given its clearly documented involvement in war crimes, such as CIA torture.