The Coalition for the International Criminal Court has called on Indonesia to join the 121 nations that ratified the Rome Statute, enhancing regional representation. A letter to President Yudhoyono highlighted the importance of joining the ICC in promoting global justice and human rights. Indonesian acceptance of recommendations by the Human Rights Council was praised, with emphasis on seizing this opportunity to fulfill national human rights commitments.
The Coalition for the International Criminal Court has urged Indonesia to commit to international justice by joining the 121 nations that have ratified the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty. As part of its Universal Ratification Campaign in July 2012, the Coalition emphasized Indonesia’s important role in bolstering regional representation within the ICC, given that it remains under-represented in Asia.
On 5 July 2012, the Coalition sent a letter to President H.E. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, requesting the Indonesian government to intensify its efforts to join the ICC. The letter acknowledged the milestone of the Rome Statute’s 10th anniversary and commended the justice system’s achievements, while also recognizing the challenges faced over the past decade.
Mugiyanto, convenor of the Indonesian Coalition for the ICC, stated, “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.”
The Coalition praised Indonesia’s acceptance of twelve recommendations regarding its accession to the Rome Statute during a recent session of the Human Rights Council. The organization urged officials to seize this momentum and fulfill the goals outlined in Indonesia’s 2011-2014 National Human Rights Plan of Action.
Evelyn Serrano, the Coalition’s regional coordinator for Asia-Pacific, remarked, “Indonesia’s membership to the ICC is consistent with its declaration of strong commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The people, especially the victims of serious crimes, stand to benefit from the standards set by the Rome Statute in international law and justice.”
As of now, 121 countries have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute, including 17 in Asia and the Pacific, with Guatemala being the most recent to join. The ICC, as the first permanent international court, prosecutes war crimes and crimes against humanity, operating under the principle of complementarity to ensure national systems investigate criminals first.
Currently, the ICC is investigating several cases, including those in Central African Republic and Uganda. The Coalition for the ICC is committed to enhancing international cooperation with the Court to ensure justice for victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
The Coalition for the International Criminal Court’s appeal to Indonesia underscores the importance of global cooperation in achieving international justice. By encouraging Indonesia to ratify the Rome Statute, the Coalition aims to bolster regional representation in the ICC and advance human rights protections for citizens. The ongoing work to strengthen international judicial norms highlights the collective responsibility nations hold in combating impunity and promoting justice worldwide.
Original Source: www.thebahamasweekly.com
