[psych-hr] The International Criminal Court is launched

* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International *

11 April 2002
IOR 40/008/2002
64/02


On the historic occasion of the 60th ratification of the Rome
Statute of the International Criminal Court, Amnesty
International welcomes the commitment shown by those states that
have ratified it to bring those responsible for the worst crimes
and human rights violations to justice.

        "This is a very important moment in the struggle for
international justice, because it means that people suspected of
committing crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide - no
matter what their rank - may be tried by the Court," said Amnesty
International.

         "A message is being sent around the world that people
planning the worst crimes and human rights violations can no
longer do so in the knowledge that they won't be held
accountable. Countries that have ratified have accepted the
primary obligation to investigate and prosecute people accused of
the crimes and when they are unable or unwilling to do so the
International Criminal Court may bring them to justice."

         Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Ireland, Jordan, Mongolia, Niger, Romania and
Slovakia ratified the Rome Statute today at a special event
organized at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

         The 60th ratification triggers the entry into force of
the Rome Statute on 1 July and the Court's jurisdiction over
genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It is expected
that the inauguration ceremony of the Court could take place as
early as February 2003 at its seat in the Hague.

         "At this important stage in the establishment of the
Court states that have ratified must ensure that there is
sufficient support, including funding, to set up the Court as
soon as possible and to ensure its effectiveness from its
beginning."

         "Amnesty International calls on all states that have not
done so to ratify the Rome Statute and to enact effective
implementing legislation as soon as possible."

Background
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted
at a diplomatic conference on 17 July 1998. The Statute provides
for the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court
to investigate and prosecute people accused of genocide, crimes
against humanity and war crimes. A provision was included in the
Statute that 60 states must ratify the Statute before the Court
can be established.

         Amnesty International has been working, together with
the more than 1000 members of the Coalition for an International
Criminal Court, for the establishment of the Court since 1993.
Immediately following the adoption of the Rome Statute, Amnesty
International launched a worldwide campaign for all governments
to ratify the Rome Statute and to enact effective implementing
legislation, including providing for full cooperation with the
Court.

         Even now that the 60th ratification has been made and
the Court will be established, Amnesty International will
continue to lobby all governments to ratify the Statute. This
will be essential because in many cases, the Court will only have
jurisdiction if the crime was committed on the territory of a
country that has ratified or by the national of a state that has
ratified.

         Amnesty International has issued a paper with questions
and answers about the 60th ratification which contains
information including the next steps for the establishment of the
Court. This document and other information about the Court is
available on Amnesty International's website: www.amnesty.org


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