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Sri Lanka:
Urge the government of Sri Lanka to accede the Rome Statute of the ICC

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 Sri Lanka to take a major step forward in its commitment to international justice and the rule of law by ratifying to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as soon as possible.

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, East Timor, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Tajikistan are the only Asian States Parties to the ICC. While Thailand, the Philippines and Bangladesh have already signed the Rome Statute, they have yet to ratify. Sri Lanka’s accession to the Rome Statute would further strengthen the Sri Lankan peace process as it would be a clear demonstration of Sri Lanka’s commitment to upholding the highest international human rights.

The Rome Statute came into force in July 2002 and now has the support of more than half of the world’s nations. Nearly 100 states have now 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 Sri Lanka 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:

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka

Tel: 01194112446091
Fax:01194942446091
Email: [email protected]

Your Excellency,

While fully cognizant of the challenges facing Sri Lanka in terms of post-Tsunami reconstruction and your great efforts to build a lasting peace, I firmly believe that acceding to the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty will further strengthen the Sri Lankan peace process as it would be a clear demonstration of Sri Lanka’s commitment to upholding the highest international human rights. I therefore appeal to your Excellency and urge the government of Sri Lanka to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as possible. I also urge you to give force to said treaty through the adoption of implementing legislation and to ratify the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the ICC in due course.

The ICC treaty, 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. As the first permanent global court capable of trying individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, the ICC represents one of the most important advances toward ensuring that the gravest violations against humanity no longer remain unpunished.

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, East Timor, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Tajikistan are the only Asian States Parties to the ICC. While Thailand, the Philippines and Bangladesh have already signed the Rome Statute, they have yet to ratify. Without acceding to the Rome Statute, Sri Lanka would be unable to nominate judges to the ICC, thereby breaking with its outstanding record of providing leading jurists and scholars at international institutions. As the 100th ratification of the ICC imminently approaches, I hope that your government may consider joining the Court as soon as possible and that we may soon witness Sri Lanka as an additional Asian State Party to the Court.

Sincerely,