A major step towards accountability and protection of civilians in armed conflict was made at the Assembly of State Parties (ASP) to the International Criminal Court. By unanimous decision, the Rome Statute was amended to make starvation of civilians in internal armed conflicts a war crime which can be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court. 

The Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict programme, in partnership with Oxford University Press Law, the World Food Programme and the Government of Switzerland, contributed to clarifying applicable international humanitarian law and international criminal law for the benefit of States discussions.