Originally published on the CGS blog on July 15, 2011.
This Sunday, July 17, 2011, marks the 13th International Justice Day, commemorating the adoption of the Rome Statute, the document that established the International Criminal Court.
Melissa Kaplan, Deputy Director of Government Relations at GlobalSolutions.org and Coordinator of the Washington Working Group on the International Criminal Court (WICC) said,
“On this day, we mark the world community’s establishment of a permanent international court of accountability for the most heinous of crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity, aggression, and war crimes. We urge all nations committed to justice to continue their support of the International Criminal Court.”
As we remember this day, it is important to reflect on the state of international justice. With recent addition of Tunisia, there are currently 116 nations that are member states party to the Rome Statute, and the list of nations who believe in supporting international criminal justice keeps expanding. The Philippines, Malaysia, Cape Verde, and Maldives are close to ratifying the treaty to accept the Court’s jurisdiction.
Kaplan said,
“We welcome the addition of member states to the ICC that believe in the end impunity for perpetrators of grave crimes. GlobalSolutions.org encourages nations around the world to ratify the Rome Statute.”
Following its inception in 2002, the International Criminal Court has made great strides in bringing the worst perpetrators of grave crimes to justice. There are currently three cases in the trial stage, open investigations in six countries, and nine summonses to appear and 18 arrest warrants issued.
This year, the Court will see the completion of its first case, in the trial against Thomas Lubanga, a Congelese rebel militia leader accused of conscripting child soldiers. The legitimacy of the Court has been further enhanced by the United Nations Security Council’s use of the body as a tool to protect civilians from serious human rights violations, in its referrals of both Omar Al-Bashir and Mummar Gaddafi for investigation.
While the Court has made great progress in its nine years of existence, challenges remain. Without a way to enforce the execution of warrants, the ICC relies on member states and nations not party to the Rome Statute to carry out arrests.
Kaplan stated,
“Nations that reject the responsibility to arrest accused criminals in their midst are delaying justice for victims of heinous crimes. We urge all states to assist in the capture of suspected war criminals, so that victims can get their day in court and begin the healing process. International cooperation is essential to resolve global challenges, building a safer, more secure world.”
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GlobalSolutions.org is a national membership organization that strategically promotes U.S. engagement with international organizations to solve global problems.
The Washington Working Group on the International Criminal Court (WICC) is a coordinating group of the Washington legislative and governmental affairs offices of American non-governmental organizations committed to the cause of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The WICC supports, coordinates, and provides materials and information for education and advocacy about the Court. GlobalSolutions.org co-convenes the WICC.
