(IFJ/IFEX) – Dear Colleagues, I am taking this opportunity to pass on some information in relation to the formation of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This came from a meeting held in Brussels this week [the week of 14 September 1998] and may be of interest to you. It relates to action which is needed […]
(IFJ/IFEX) –
Dear Colleagues,
I am taking this opportunity to pass on some information in relation to the
formation of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This came from a
meeting held in Brussels this week [the week of 14 September 1998] and may
be of interest to you. It relates to action which is needed to ensure that
opponents of the Court do not succeed in attempts to delay/stop the creation
of the ICC.
For those who do not know, incitement to genocide is included as a crime
coming under the jurisdiction of the Court, and various other forms of
aiding and abetting are included for war crimes. This is relevant to the
IFEX community [and others interested in freedom of expression and press
freedom] given the events in Rwanda, the Former Yugoslavia and the like.
Following the negotiations in Rome and the agreements on the Treaty for the
Court, it is necessary for countries to sign and then for 60 to ratify for
the Treaty to enter into force. Meanwhile it is necessary for the UN General
Assembly to agree a date for the first Preparatory
Commission on the Court — rules of procedure etc.
Opponents of the Court have started suggesting that there is no point in
convening the Preparatory Commission for the Court at this stage because
there have not even been 60 signatures yet, let alone 60 ratifications. This
could prove to be an effective delaying tactic, unless those countries which
have indicated their willingness to sign — of which there are a definite 70
and 120 voted for the Treaty — sign up in the days and weeks to come.
The Sixth Committee of the UN will meet from 21-23 October to make the
recommendation to the General Assembly to convene the Preparatory
Commission. The General Assembly plenary will deal with the matter at the
end of October/beginning of November.
So, if you are concerned by this issue, contact the relevant ministry in
your country and check whether they have already signed and if not, why not.
Countries are currently mandating their ambassadors in Rome to sign on their
behalf; this may be the case in your country. From 16 October onwards, the
Treaty will be available for signing in New York.
Finally one small point: the reason many countries did not sign in Rome, and
this includes stalwarts of the Treaty such as Canada and Belgium, was
because the signing ceremony was delayed and those mandated to sign had to
leave Rome. Many countries are therefore intending to sign but it is
important to make them aware of the need to sign up now, before the
recommendation on the Preparatory Commission is voted on.
Countries which have already signed include:
ALBANIA, ANDORRA, BELGIUM, BOLIVIA, CAMEROON, CONGO, CHILE, FRANCE, GEORGIA,
GHANA, GREECE, ICELAND, ITALY, LIBERIA, LICHTENSTEIN, MADAGASCAR, MALI,
MALTA, MAURITIUS, MONACO, NAMIBIA, NETHERLANDS, NIGER, NORWAY, PANAMA, SAN
MARINO, SAMOA, SENEGAL, SPAIN, SOUTH AFRICA, SWITZERLAND, ZAMBIA, ZIMBABWE.
Feel free to contact me for further information.
Cailin Mackenzie
Human Rights Officer
