Coalition for the International Criminal Court
Follow Us: Facebook Twitter
CICCCourtCoalitionCoalitionDocumentsPressDonation
Browse by Region
map Americas Africa Asia and Pacific Europe Middle East and North Africa
Nepal
Greater support for the International Criminal Court in the Asian region is crucial for the growing global fight against impunity and for the defense of fundamental human rights.

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court and its members are calling on Nepal to take a major step forward in its commitment to international justice and the rule of law by acceding to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as soon as possible.

In July 2006, Nepal’s former House of Representatives issued a unanimous commitment resolution (Sankalpa) to accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC and top officials indicated that they would take appropriate measures to promptly accede to this important international instrument. Building on this moementum, the CICC selected Nepal as the August 2006 target country for the Universal Ratification Campaign. Nevertheless, since then no there have been no further developments.

While the CICC understands the challenges facing the country in the context of its transition to democracy and its strengthening of the democratic order, the CICC feels that in joining the ICC, Nepal will further consolidate the rule of law and will send a clear sign to the international community of their commitment to upholding the highest international human rights standards.

Asia remains poorly represented at the Court, and greater Asian participation is needed to ensure that the ICC is enriched by the diverse legal cultures of the region. Currently, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Tajikistan are the only Asian States Parties to the ICC. Given the important commitments expressed by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to international human rights instruments, principles and values, as well as the ongoing political transition, Nepal’s accession would send a signal to the international community of their will to end impunity and strengthen the rule of law.

The Rome Statute came into force in July 2002 and now has the support of more than half of the world’s nations. One hundred and four states from across the globe have acceded to or ratified the treaty and 139 are signatories.

Take Action Now!
Support the CICC’s appeal by sending letters by mail or fax urging the government of Nepal to accede to the Rome Statute as soon as possible.

You might like to use the following letter as a guide.

Send your letter to:
H.E. Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala
Prime Minister of Nepal
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Singh Durbar
Kathmandu, Nepal
P.O. Box: 43312
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 977-1-4211000
Fax: 977-1-4416016

Your Excellency,
At a time when the International Criminal Court (ICC) is moving forward in its crucial work to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes with its first three cases, I am writing to urge you to ensure that Nepal supports this new and vital system of international justice by acceding to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as possible. As you are aware, the Rome Statute entered into force in 2002 and to date 104 States have become parties to the Treaty.

In July 2006 I was pleased to learn that the former Nepalese House of Representatives issued a unanimous commitment resolution (Sankalpa) to accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC. Furthermore, I also welcomed statements made by top officials indicating that the country would take appropriate measures to promptly accede to this important international instrument.

Despite this support, there have been no further developments since that date and thus I call on you to ensure that this encouraging commitment translates into tangible steps that will pave the way toward Nepal joining the ICC as an additional Asian State Party.

As you are aware, Asia remains poorly represented at the Court, and greater Asian participation is needed to ensure that the ICC is enriched by the diverse legal cultures of the region. Currently, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Tajikistan are the only Asian States Parties to the ICC. Given the important commitments expressed by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to international human rights instruments, principles and values, as well as the ongoing political transition, I fully believe that Nepal’s accession would send a signal to the international community of their determination to ending impunity and strengthening the rule of law.

Sincerely,