ICC President calls for more Pacific States to join the ICC at 48th Pacific Islands Forum
The President of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court"), Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, has completed a mission to the 48th Pacific Islands Forum in Apia, Samoa, where she addressed leaders of the 18-member organisation and called for enhanced support for the Court in the Pacific region.
"I was deeply honoured to attend the annual gathering of leaders from this unique region", said the ICC President. "I am grateful to the government of Samoa for inviting me, and in particular to the Prime Minister, H.E. Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, the current Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, for his strong support of the Court." Introducing the ICC President at the Forum on Wednesday, 6 September, the Prime Minister thanked her for her proactive outreach to the Pacific region, and stated: "In the context of Samoa, we always had a close affinity with the International Criminal Court, and for obvious reasons. We have no regular military forces, and only a civilian unarmed police force. Our only defence is the rule of law."
In her remarks to the Forum leaders, President Fernández underlined that the Court's global aspiration can only be fulfilled with universal participation in the treaty. "More states, all states are needed for the effectiveness of the institution and ultimately for its relevance to contribute to fight impunity for the most serious crimes and to protect all victims in an equal manner. In light of your remarkable efforts to address climate change and the protection of oceans, you know very well that cooperation, international law and solidarity are extremely important in today´s globalised world", she said.
In the margins of the 48th Pacific Islands Forum, the ICC President held bilateral talks with a number of heads of state or government and ministers as well as representatives of international and regional organisations to promote enhanced membership of Pacific Island States in the Rome Statute.
On 8 September 2017, the Court organised a workshop titled "Membership in the Rome Statute – Why and How" as a side event of the Forum, with participation from governments in the region as well as regional and intergovernmental organisations. The workshop started with a conversation between President Fernández and Tuiloma Neroni Slade, former ICC judge and former Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
"ICC values are Pacific values: justice, humanity and solidarity", Tuiloma Neroni Slade said in his remarks at the workshop. "The ICC stands as a tangible and workable response by the international community to international crimes. Ultimately the rule of law is the best protection for us all, especially the small and vulnerable states, which dominate this part of the world. That is our best armoury against criminality. It is as impossible for the Court alone to function today against what the international community has agreed to be serious crimes as it is impossible for small island states to defend themselves against these serious crimes."
The workshop provided an open platform for exchange on the region's experiences within the ICC system. The event was organised thanks to the financial support of the European Commission, with the participation of EU officials, including Ms Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service.
"I was strongly encouraged by the discussions I had in Apia, and I look forward to continuing closer engagement with a number of Pacific states", said the ICC President at the conclusion of her mission. "Small and medium sized states were instrumental in the creation of the Court, and this region has much to give to the strengthening of the rule of law at the international level in order to ensure peace, justice and a sustainable future for all."
Among the member states of the Pacific Islands Forum, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Samoa and Vanuatu are States Parties to the Rome Statute, whereas Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu are yet to join the treaty.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ROME STATUTE – WHY AND HOW?
For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson/Head, Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or 31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: [email protected]
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