Follow Us: 
|
Follow Us:
|
|
|
|
|
Browse by Region
|
> A Universal Court with Global Support > Ratification and Implementation > Universal Ratification Campaign > Laos Laos  Credit: Nations Online Urge the government of Lao PDR to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court The Lao People’s Democratic Republic announced its intention to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC at the Asian Delegates Meeting held during the last Assembly of States Parties at The Hague in September 2004. Indeed, Lao PDR has decisively come out of a period of isolation and taken its place in the international community of nations. In recent years, it has sought to strengthen the process of signing, ratifying, implementing, and monitoring international legal instruments, including international human rights treaties. The Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) and its members are calling on Lao PDR to take another 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). The Rome treaty came into force in 2002 and now has the support of half of the world’s nations. Nearly 100 states have already acceded and ratified said treaty and 139 have signed. There are, however, only six States Parties in Asia. The CICC hopes Lao PDR will be the next Asian country to join the ICC. Lao PDR can provide a powerful example, together with Cambodia, to the rest of the ASEAN members who have yet to fully ratify or accede to this international treaty. With more ratifications from the Asian region, the ICC will come closer to its objective of achieving universal jurisdiction and becoming a truly international mechanism for justice and peace. Take action now! Support CICC’s appeal by sending letters by mail or fax urging the government of Lao PDR to ratify the Rome Statute and implement it into national law. You might like to use the following letter as a guide. Send your letter to: His Excellency Khamtay Siphandone President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Fax: 856 21 22 3638 or 856 21 21 3650 or 856 21 21 7623 Please send via email to: [email protected] Your Excellency, The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court entered into force in 2002 and to date, 139 states have signed and nearly 100 states have acceded to or ratified this treaty. Unfortunately, very few countries in Asia have joined the Court. Currently, Cambodia, East Timor, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Tajikistan are the only States Parties to the ICC. While Thailand and the Philippines, as well as Bangladesh have already signed the Rome Statute, they have yet to complete the process of ratification. Asia and the Middle East stand as the two regions of the world with the least number of accessions and ratifications of the Rome Statute of the ICC. In this context I was extremely happy to learn from the Coalition for the International Criminal Court that Lao PDR expressed its intention to ratify the Rome Statute at the as Asian Delegates Meeting at the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC in September 2004. With increased ratifications from Asia, the whole Asian region will have stronger voice and a more meaningful participation in the making of a truly independent and effective international mechanism for justice and peace. Within the specific ASEAN community, Lao PDR’s ratification, together with Cambodia’s, can also provide a powerful leading example to the rest of the ASEAN members who have yet to accede to this international treaty. I therefore appeal to your Excellency and urge the government of the Lao PDR to accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC as soon as possible. I also urge you to implement said treaty through the adoption of implementing legislation and to ratify the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the ICC. By acceding to the ICC as soon as possible, Laos PDR will also hopefully become part of modern world history by bringing the number of ICC States Parties to a historic 100 in 2005. Yours truly, |
|
|
