URC-Philippines

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court is calling on the Philippines to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC as soon as possible. The Philippines actively took part in the 1998 United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court held in Rome. Subsequently, on December 28, 2000, the Philippines became a signatory to the treaty.

The Philippines would be joining Afghanistan, Cambodia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Timor Leste as States Parties to the treaty and could help give Asia a stronger voice and more a meaningful role in making the ICC - the first permanent, independent court capable of investigating and bringing to justice individuals who commit war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide- a truly effective mechanism for the rule of law and international justice.

Take Action Now!

Write a letter to the President to encourage her 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.

Send your letter to:

HER EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Malaca�ang Palace, JP Laurel Street
San Miguel Manila NCR 1005
Web email: http://www.op.gov.ph/contact.asp
Office of the Executive Secretary: [email protected]

PRESIDENTIAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE
Malaca�ang Palace Complex
Phone: (632) 7346761

HON. SECRETARY ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Philippines
Phone: (632) 8344020
Fax: (632) 8321597
Trunk Line: (632) 834-4000

HON. REYNATO S. PUNO
Chief Justice
Philippine Supreme Court
Phone: (632) 523-0679; 521-7239
Fax: (632) 522-3211

SENATOR JUAN PONCE ENRILE
Senate Office: Rm. 606 6th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5553 / 5587 / 6538
Phones: (632) 552-6690, 552-6691
Email: [email protected]

SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO
Chair, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Senate Office: Rm. 521-A 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg.,
Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
Phone: (632) 552-6693
Telefax: (632) 552-6692
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

SENATOR FRANCIS JOSEPH GUEVARA ESCUDERO
Chair, Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights:
Senate of the Philippines, GSIS Compound, Pasay City
Tel No. 5526601 loc. 3318 / Telefax 552-6888
Email: [email protected]

HON. PROSPERO C. NOGRALES
Speaker, House of Representatives
Rm. RVM-410, House of Representatives, Quezon City
Phone: (632) 931-5001 local 7019, 9518945

HON. LORENZO TANADA III
Representative, Quezon, 4th District
Chair of the Committee on Human Rights
Rm. N-409, House of Representatives, Quezon City
Phone: (632) 931-5001 local 7368, 9316478

HON. LEILA M. DE LIMA
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman, Quezon City
Contact numbers: (632) 928-5655, 926-6188, 929-0102
Email: [email protected]

Your Excellency,

I am writing to urge you to ensure the Philippines� ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC as soon as possible. The Court�s investigations in Uganda, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan signify that it is moving forward in its crucial work to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Philippines� support for this new and vital system of international justice by acceding to the Rome Statute is therefore of the utmost importance.

The Rome Statute came into force in July 2002 and now has the support of well over half of the world�s nations. With the Czech Republic�s formal ratification in July 21, 2009, 110 states have now acceded to or ratified the treaty, and 139 are signatories. The new system of international justice, of which the International Criminal Court is a cornerstone, aims to ensure that the most serious international crimes no longer go unpunished. Support from countries around the globe is crucial to building, strengthening, and ensuring the success of this new justice system.

As a signatory to the Rome Statute, the Philippines can continue the engagement it started at the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court in 1998 by ratifying this international treaty. Ratifying the treaty would demonstrate the commitment of the Government of Philippines to uphold human rights as is enshrined in the Constitution and exemplified in your commitment to UN Peacekeeping missions.

Regarding the ICC�s jurisdiction, it is important to note that it is not retroactive. Furthermore, the Court�s jurisdiction is limited to crimes committed by nationals of states parties or on the territory of states parties. The ICC was designed to complement existing national judicial systems and can only investigate cases when a country is unable or unwilling to try suspects in its national courts.

We urge your Excellency to use your good offices to ensure prompt treatment of the ratification dossier. This crucial step will allow the Philippines to continue its path toward becoming a State Party to the Rome Statute. Prompt ratification will also enable the Philippines to participate more meaningfully in the upcominig Review Conference of the ICC, to take place in June 2010, and thus engage in the process leading to the adoption of a definition for the crime of aggression. Moreover, as a State Party, the Philippines will also be able to participate in judiciary and other elections at the Court.

I strongly encourage the Philippines 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,

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