SUPPORT FOR ENDING IMPUNITY OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMES MUST CONTINUE TO GROW -
ICC
Eight years after assuming office as prosecutor of the International
Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo spotlighted today the
transformative changes taking place in international law, with countries
increasing their support for ending impunity of international crimes, adding
that this trend must continue to grow.
"A new global order based on law is coming. Seventy years ago the crime of
genocide did not exist." said Mr. Moreno-Ocampo at the tenth session of the
Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Stature of the ICC.
"Today we are discussing how States and the court are enforcing the new
concept of crimes against humanity and genocide. In the 21st century the
Assembly is leading the international community to protect every citizen in
the world."
The gathering, which is taking place at United Nations Headquarters in New
York, brings together representatives from the 118 States parties to the
Rome Statute, which established the ICC, to discuss matters central to the
Court's operation.
Mr. Moreno-Ocampo, whose term end in June next year, told the Assembly that
support for the ICC is growing, as evidenced by the ratification of the Rome
Statute by 42 additional States in the past eight years including "all South
America and Europe and most of the Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa."
Mr. Moreno-Ocampo also highlighted the recent accession of Tunisia, which
adopted the Statute two weeks after the fall of the old regime.
"It sent a clear message: there is not turning back to abuse of power." Mr.
Moreno-Ocampo said, adding that the recent accessions of Bangladesh and the
Philippines also show a promising trend in Asia.
However, Mr. Moreno-Ocampo said it is crucial for the ICC to remain
independent while also avoiding isolation from the international community
so it can do its job effectively.
Judge Sang-Hyun Song, the ICC's President, echoed Mr. Moreno-Ocampo's
remarks, saying that "if we are to end impunity and achieve lasting respect
and enforcement of international justice, then along with the running of an
effective court and progress towards universality we also need to protect
the court's independence."
Mr. Moreno-Ocampo will be succeeded by Fatou B. Bensouda of the Gambia, who
was officially elected today. Ms. Bensouda said at a press briefing that she
would continue Mr. Moreno-Ocampo's work and would remain committed to
fighting impunity of atrocious crimes.
In her address to the Assembly, Deputy Secretary-General Ashe-Rose Migiro
congratulated Ms. Bensouda on her new position and reiterated the UN's
support for the ICC, which includes providing services and facilities for
the court's field missions, as well as facilitating the provision of
information.
"The ICC is the vital and indispensable centrepiece of our system of
international criminal justice. It is our best hope of ending impunity for
international crimes. It is the vehicle with which our generation can
significantly advance the cause of justice and, in so doing, reduce and
prevent unspeakable suffering. If we fail to support the ICC and its noble
cause, we fail humanity," Ms. Migiro said.
ICC
Eight years after assuming office as prosecutor of the International
Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo spotlighted today the
transformative changes taking place in international law, with countries
increasing their support for ending impunity of international crimes, adding
that this trend must continue to grow.
"A new global order based on law is coming. Seventy years ago the crime of
genocide did not exist." said Mr. Moreno-Ocampo at the tenth session of the
Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Stature of the ICC.
"Today we are discussing how States and the court are enforcing the new
concept of crimes against humanity and genocide. In the 21st century the
Assembly is leading the international community to protect every citizen in
the world."
The gathering, which is taking place at United Nations Headquarters in New
York, brings together representatives from the 118 States parties to the
Rome Statute, which established the ICC, to discuss matters central to the
Court's operation.
Mr. Moreno-Ocampo, whose term end in June next year, told the Assembly that
support for the ICC is growing, as evidenced by the ratification of the Rome
Statute by 42 additional States in the past eight years including "all South
America and Europe and most of the Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa."
Mr. Moreno-Ocampo also highlighted the recent accession of Tunisia, which
adopted the Statute two weeks after the fall of the old regime.
"It sent a clear message: there is not turning back to abuse of power." Mr.
Moreno-Ocampo said, adding that the recent accessions of Bangladesh and the
Philippines also show a promising trend in Asia.
However, Mr. Moreno-Ocampo said it is crucial for the ICC to remain
independent while also avoiding isolation from the international community
so it can do its job effectively.
Judge Sang-Hyun Song, the ICC's President, echoed Mr. Moreno-Ocampo's
remarks, saying that "if we are to end impunity and achieve lasting respect
and enforcement of international justice, then along with the running of an
effective court and progress towards universality we also need to protect
the court's independence."
Mr. Moreno-Ocampo will be succeeded by Fatou B. Bensouda of the Gambia, who
was officially elected today. Ms. Bensouda said at a press briefing that she
would continue Mr. Moreno-Ocampo's work and would remain committed to
fighting impunity of atrocious crimes.
In her address to the Assembly, Deputy Secretary-General Ashe-Rose Migiro
congratulated Ms. Bensouda on her new position and reiterated the UN's
support for the ICC, which includes providing services and facilities for
the court's field missions, as well as facilitating the provision of
information.
"The ICC is the vital and indispensable centrepiece of our system of
international criminal justice. It is our best hope of ending impunity for
international crimes. It is the vehicle with which our generation can
significantly advance the cause of justice and, in so doing, reduce and
prevent unspeakable suffering. If we fail to support the ICC and its noble
cause, we fail humanity," Ms. Migiro said.
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