According to a news article published in the LA Times on January 1, 2001, United States President Clinton, in a last minute decision, signed an important, historic treaty on December 31, 2000. Under that treaty, the US agrees to create the world's first permanent court for crimes against humanity.

According to the report, this yet to be established International Criminal Court would try people accused of extreme human rights violations, filling a void in the global legal system.

This draft of the treaty is based on the proposal, which had gained momentum at a 1998 United Nations-sponsored conference in Rome, where 120 nations endorsed the treaty.

Unlike previously created, temporary tribunals, such as the one to prosecute Nazi war criminals after World War II, this new, permanent-status international court would be the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Currently, the United Nation is investigating the records of crimes against humanity in the Balkans and Rwanda.

The report pointed out that, for the treaty to take effect, 60 of the countries that have signed the treaty must ratify it. Up till now, 25 countries have done so.

Mr. Clinton said the tribunal would make a "profound contribution to combating human rights abuses around the world." He also said: "We do so to reaffirm our strong support for international accountability and for bringing to justice perpetrators of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity."

The Carter Center in Atlanta greatly appreciated Mr. Clinton's action and revealed that former president Jimmy Carter wrote a letter to Mr. Clinton on December 20, urging him to sign this treaty.

Recently, in a letter to Mr. Clinton, Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch expressed his appreciation for his support. He said in his letter: " As a strong proponent of justice for the victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, you would leave an important legacy by signing the treaty which would establish this court."

On January 1, 2001