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> A Universal Court with Global Support > Ratification and Implementation > Universal Ratification Campaign > URC - Kiribati, Palau and Solomon Islands URC - Kiribati, Palau and Solomon Islands The Coalition for the International Criminal Court is calling on Kiribati, Palau and the Solomon Islands to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC as soon as possible.Eleven years after the adoption of the Rome Statute, Pacific States must take firm action to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. So far, seven states in the Pacific are parties to the Rome Statute (Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand and Samoa), and nine states are yet to become party to this treaty. On May 31 - June 11, 2010, the ICC will be hosting its first Review Conference which will consider, among other things, amendments to the Statute including the adoption of a definition for the crime of aggression and an evaluation of the Court’s achievements and challenges. Given the region’s increasing interest in ICC issues, Pacific states should ensure that the region is fully represented at the ICC. Universality remains a fundamental objective in order for the ICC to truly reflect its global character and guarantee an effective end to impunity. Take Action Now! Urge Kiribati, Palau and the Solomon Islands to ratify the Rome Statute as soon as possible! You might like to use the following letter as a guide. Please be sure to “cc” all contacts below when sending your letters. Please note that any letter that you or anyone else outside the CICC Secretariat sends as part of this campaign should be written in an individual capacity or on behalf of your organization, not on behalf of the Coalition for the ICC. This policy should also be observed by members of national or regional coalitions of the CICC. Your Excellency: I am writing to you to respectfully call on your government to promptly ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. This year will be witness to a key moment in the development of international justice. In May 2010, more than seven years after the entry into force of the treaty, the ICC will be hosting its first Review Conference which will consider, among other things, amendments to the Statute including the adoption of a definition for the crime of aggression. I urge your government to take advantage of this moment and confirm your commitment to the fight against impunity by ratifying the Rome Statute. I hope that your country’s ratification would set an example for the Pacific region, and that all Pacific countries will soon join the system of international justice as enshrined in the Rome Statute. The Rome Statute came into force in July 2002 and now has the support of well over half of the world’s nations. As of May 2010, 111 states have ratified or acceded to the treaty, and 139 are signatories. The 111th state party is Bangladesh, the first South Asian country to sign the treaty back in 1999. However, the Asia-Pacific region still remains underrepresented within the Court, with only 14 State Parties to the Rome Statute (and seven within the Pacific sub-region). This number does not do justice to the active participation of the Pacific States─ both State Parties and non-State Parties to the Rome Statute ─ on ICC related issues. While constitutional concerns, political and social priorities, and internal processes affect the timeframes and willingness of countries to ratify international instruments such as the Rome Statute, Pacific states must effectively surpass these challenges and embrace this new system of international justice. In order to guarantee that the ICC truly reflects its global character and represents all regions of the world, universality remains a fundamental objective. It is also of note that the United States has positively re-engaged with the ICC after years of pursuing a policy of non-cooperation with the Court. Therefore, I urge your Excellency to use your good offices to ensure prompt treatment of the ratification dossier as soon as possible. I strongly encourage Kiribati, Palau and the Solomon Islands to take this opportunity to formally join the ICC this year and by doing so express its ongoing support for justice and human rights. Sincerely, You can write to: KIRIBATI H.E. Mr. Anote Tong President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Trade Post Office Box 68 Bairiki Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati Fax: +686 21466 H.E. Mrs. Teima Onorio Vice President and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives POB 510 Betio Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati Fax: +686 26233 PALAU H.E. Mr. Johnson Toribiong President Office of the President P.O. Box 100 Koror, Republic of Palau Fax: +488 7672403 H.E. Dr. Victor M. Yano Minister of State P.O Box 100 96940 Koror Republic of Palau Fax: +488 7672509 SOLOMON ISLANDS H.E. Dr. Derek Sikua Prime Minister Office of the Prime Minister POB G1 Honiara, Solomon Islands Fax: +677 28649 H.E. Mr. William Haomae Minister of Foreign Affairs Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Relations PO Box 610 Honiara, Solomon Islands Fax: +677 20351 |
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