Acknowledgements
This book is the result of countless moments of support and encouragement from a multitude of people in the United Kingdom, Argentina, Poland, Spain and the Netherlands. I am both relieved and thankful they will see their rally in the many words ahead. While the topic might seem a bit obscure or rather too specific, I am hopeful it managed to combine a sense of practicality with the idealism that put me in front of this challenge. One can become too distracted or disappointed by the grave injustices we witness today to remember change can happen if institutions set up to make the international justice machinery work, actually work. Thankful for the great opportunity of time, support and encouragement, I hope this study of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute can help motivate action when justice has become, at times, elusive.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Professor William Schabas for his advice, supervision and relentless encouragement to think of this book as a vehicle to contribute not in isolation, but as a scholar. More so for his guidance at each Ph.D. seminar at Middlesex University, webinars and for the time spent at the Second Doctoral Seminar at the Siracusa International Institute in 2023. I am also grateful for Dr. Giulia Pecorella’s advice early on this process on how to structure my thinking and, extremely importantly, improve my writing. I am equally thankful to my former colleagues at the Middlesex School of Law and to Professor Alice Donald for her valuable support. To the librarians at the Sheppard Library, in particular Sue Joyce, my admiration and appreciation for their much-needed assistance.
To my parents, Virginia and Ricardo, from whom I have learned to care deeply about justice and the power of education. To my siblings and extended family for their constant care and for putting up with me as I explained iterations of this book. And crucially to Kasia, not only my editor-in-chief but the source of resilience, patience and love that made this possible. Finally this book is dedicated to Lorenzo, whom I hope will find this book an attempt to promote justice and peace in a tumultuous world.
Barcelona
June 2025