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URC - Thailand
The Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) is calling on the Kingdom of Thailand to take the necessary steps to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Asia region is gradually increasing its representation within the Court, and has been witness to the recent ratifications of The Philippines and Maldives. Thailand’s accession to the Rome Statute would strengthen the Asian voice at the Court and provide an important impetus to further ratifications within the region.

To date, 118 states have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute, but only 9 of these states are from Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Maldives, Mongolia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.

The ICC has an important role in ensuring that perpetrators of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity are held accountable. Greater support for the ICC in Asia is needed in order increase and further secure the region’s commitment to the fight against impunity. As the Court and its case load continue to grow, so will its challenges. These crucial times thus require the strong support of the international community, including Asian states. The Coalition encourages Thailand to assert its commitment to ending the culture of impunity by acceding to the Rome Statute of the ICC.

Take action now!

Write a letter to the Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra to encourage her government to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

You might like to use the following letter as a guide. Please be sure to cc all contacts below when sending your letters, and also send a copy to us at [email protected].

Send your letter to:

H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
Government House
Pitsanulok Road, Dusit District
Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Via Fax: +66 (0) 2288-4016

H.E. Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul
Minister of Foreign Affairs
443 Sri Ayudhya Rd.
Bangkok 10400
Telephone: (662) 643-5000
Fax: 0-2643-5320,643-5314
Email: [email protected]

The Hon. Pol.Gen. Pracha Promnok
Minister of Justice
Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok, 10900
Telephone: +66 2 2502 8051-8
Fax: +66 2 2502 8059
E-mail: [email protected]

The Hon. Julasing Wasantasing
Attorney General
Rama VI Road, Soi 30
Bangkok 10400
Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 618 2323
Fax: +66 2 618 2358
Email: [email protected]

The Hon. Somsak Kiatsuranont
Speaker of the House of Representatives
President of the National Assembly of Thailand
Authongnai Road Dusit Bangkok 10300
Telephone: +66 2 244-1000

The Hon. Teeradej Meepien
President of the Senate
Vice President of the National Assembly of Thailand
499 Sukpraprueit Bldg.
Prachachuein Road, Bangsue, Bangkok 10800
Telephone: (66-2) 831-9272 - 3

H.E. Ambassador Norachit Sinhaseni
Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations
351 East 52nd Street
New York, N.Y. 10022
Telephone: (212) 754-2230
Fax: (212) 688-3029
Email: [email protected]


Your Excellency:

I am writing to you to respectfully request you to take concrete steps towards accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Thailand participated actively in the Rome Conference which adopted the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998. The following year, on 19 January 1999, the Thai government established the Commission for the Consideration of the Statute of the International Criminal Court, and less than three years from the Rome Conference, Thailand took the important step of signifying its intent to eventually ratify, by signing the Rome Statute on 2 October 2000.

Other steps to advance Thailand’s process of ratification have included a resolution passed by the Council of Ministers for a feasibility study on Thailand's ratification of the Rome Statute, which lead to the completion by the Foreign Ministry of its review of the Rome Statute vis-à-vis Thai law in May 2002. Since then, Thailand has been participating in the annual sessions of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute, the governing body of the ICC, as an observer; a high-level delegation represented Thailand at the 9th session of the ASP held at UN headquarters, New York in December 2010.

Your Excellency, while challenges of a legal and political nature are often part of the national debate on ratification to the Rome Statute, many of these challenges are common to what other states faced prior to their ratification, such as addressing the issue of immunities, distinguishing between extradition and surrender of nationals, ensuring that penalties do not go beyond the national limits, among other issues. However, specific provisions within the Statute have allowed states to ensure the compatibility of their domestic legislation with the Rome Statute. In addition, through the principle of complementarity, the Rome Statute system recognizes the primary jurisdiction of states in investigating and prosecuting individuals who have allegedly committed crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of the ICC.

To date, 118 states have joined the ICC. This ever-increasing number of states parties confirms the positive and important role of the ICC in the fight against impunity. The Asian region cannot be left behind in this system of international justice. With only 9 states in Asia having joined the ICC, it is more important than ever to raise this region’s representation within the Court and re-affirm its commitment to the global fight against impunity.

I urge your Excellency to use your good offices to ensure Thailand’s accession to the Rome Statute as soon as possible.

Sincerely,