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Madagascar:
Urge the government of Madagascar to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC

Greater support for the International Criminal Court in the African 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 Madagascar 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.

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 – including 27 African countries – and 139 are signatories.


By ratifying the Rome Statute as soon as possible, Madagascar will help Africa gain a stronger voice within the world of global justice and also help the continent participate more meaningfully in making the ICC a truly effective, truly international mechanism for justice and peace.


Take action now!

Support the CICC’s appeal by sending letters by mail or fax urging the government of Madagascar 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:

President:
H.E.M. Marc RAVALOMANANA
Présidence de la République
B.P. 955 Antananarivo 101
MADAGASCAR

Tel: (261) 20-22-273-38
(261) 20-22-547-02 / 03/04
Fax: (261) 20-22-321-03

CC your letter to:

Minister of Foreign Affair
H.E.M. Marcel RANJEG
Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres
B.P. 836 Antananarivo 101

Tel: (261) 20-22-207-81/279-15
Fax: (261) 20-22-344-84

Your Excellency,

I am writing to urge Madagascar’s ratification of the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty as soon as possible. At a time when the ICC is working to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes with its first cases in three African countries – Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan – Madagascar’s ratification would signal your country’s support for this new and vital system of international justice. In addition, it would also allow Madagascar to become part of the ever-growing worldwide movement behind the Court which now includes the majority of countries around the globe – 99 countries to date – that have ratified or acceded to the ICC’s treaty, the Rome Statute.

With the historic milestone of 100 States Parties to the ICC just within reach, it is with utmost urgency that I ask you to ensure Madagascar’s prompt ratification of the ICC treaty. I urge you to join not only with the majority of the countries of the world but also with the majority of African countries – which, following Kenya’s ratification of the ICC treaty in March 2005, now total 27 – who have become party to this crucial global treaty.

I strongly believe that Madagascar has an important regional role to play in Africa and share the view that the new system of international justice represented by the International Criminal Court is a vital tool that will guarantee that the most serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law will no longer go unpunished. With increased ratifications in Africa, the region will not only gain stronger voice within the world of global justice, but will also be able to participate more meaningfully in making the ICC a truly effective, truly international mechanism for justice and peace.
Madagascar was one of the earliest signatories to the ICC treaty, signing on July 18, 1998, just one day after the Rome Statute was adopted. This signing, followed by Madagascar’s September 12, 2002 signature of the ICC’s Agreement on Privileges and Immunities, has served as an inspiring demonstration of Madagascar’s clear commitment to strengthening international justice mechanisms. Even more recently at the latest Indian Ocean Regional Summit, Madagascar, under your presidency, agreed upon a Common Position on the International Criminal Court in order to bring the number of ratifications of the treaty to 100. By doing this, the Madagascar, along with the whole of the Indian Ocean Region, showed their clear support for the universality of the ICC.
By ratifying the Rome Statute now and implementing it into domestic law, Madagascar would ensure that the highest human rights standards are incorporated into its legal system and that domestic courts would be able to try the gravest human rights violations, as the ICC can only act when national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute.
I hope that Madagascar will take urgent steps towards ratification and implementation of the Rome Statute as soon as possible so that it can act together with the international community in building an effective system of international justice to end impunity for the worst crimes known to humanity.

Respectfully,