The Coalition for the International Criminal Court has called on Indonesia to join the Rome Statute, enhancing its commitment to international justice. This initiative is part of a campaign focused on encouraging global ratification. The Coalition commended Indonesia’s acceptance of recommendations aimed at ICC accession and highlighted the importance of such membership for human rights and legal accountability.
The Coalition for the International Criminal Court has urged Indonesia to strengthen its commitment to global justice by ratifying the Rome Statute, which has been endorsed by 121 nations. This call is part of the Coalition’s Universal Ratification Campaign, aimed at encouraging countries to join the ICC, established on the foundation of the Rome Statute.
In a letter to President H.E. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dated July 5, 2012, the Coalition, consisting of over 2,500 civil society organizations from 150 countries, emphasized the need for Indonesia to accelerate its accession to the ICC. They highlighted that July 1, 2012, marked a decade since the Statute entered into force and acknowledged the ICC’s accomplishments despite various challenges.
The Coalition expressed optimism about Indonesia’s potential membership, as Asia remains underrepresented in the ICC. Mugiyanto, convenor of the Indonesian Coalition for the ICC, remarked, “Ratification of the Rome Statute will provide ample opportunity for Indonesia to be actively involved in world peace and global justice, as well as to ensure the protection of human rights for all its citizens.”
Following Indonesia’s review at the Human Rights Council, the Coalition commended its acceptance of 12 recommendations related to the Rome Statute. They called upon government representatives to leverage this momentum to fulfill the objectives outlined in Indonesia’s 2011-2014 National Human Rights Plan regarding ICC accession. Evelyn Serrano, the Coalition’s regional coordinator for Asia-Pacific, stated, “Indonesia’s membership to the ICC is consistent with its declaration of strong commitment to human rights and the rule of law.”
With the most recent ratification from Guatemala, 121 states are now part of the Rome Statute, while only 17 nations in Asia and the Pacific have done so. The ICC, serving as the first permanent international court to prosecute serious crimes such as war crimes and genocide, functions primarily on the principle of complementarity, which mandates that national systems must address these crimes before ICC involvement occurs.
In conclusion, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court is advocating for Indonesia to join the Rome Statute to enhance its role in international justice. The ICC’s structure is designed to complement national judicial efforts, and Indonesia’s accession would affirm its commitment to human rights. As the Coalition continues to recognize the importance of Asian countries’ participation, Indonesia is encouraged to act on its human rights commitments.
Original Source: www.thebahamasweekly.com
