开始刑事诉讼的时效期取决于罪行的类别。对于大罪、轻罪和小罪，这一期限 分别为十年、三年和一年（《刑事诉讼法》第 3、4 和 5 条）。《公约》规定以 犯罪论处的所有罪行均划归为犯罪或轻罪。
The statute of limitations period in which to commence criminal proceedings depends on the classification of the offence. This period is ten years for crimes, three years for misdemeanours and one year for petty offences (articles 3, 4 and 5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure). All offences criminalized under the Convention are classified as crimes or misdemeanours.