Part II – International Crimes and Offences Against The Administration of Justice

General Principles of Criminal Law

19. General principles of criminal law.
(1) For the purposes of proceedings for an offence against section 7 or section 8 or section 9 –

(a) the following provisions of the Statute apply, with any necessary modifications –

(ii) article 22(2) (which relates to principles of interpretation to be applied to the definition of crimes);

Article 22
Nullum crimen sine lege
1. A person shall not be criminally responsible under this Statute unless the conduct in question constitutes, at the time it takes place, a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court.
2. The definition of a crime shall be strictly construed and shall not be extended by analogy. In case of ambiguity, the definition shall be interpreted in favour of the person being investigated, prosecuted or convicted.
3. This article shall not affect the characterization of any conduct as criminal under international law independently of this Statute.