DOHA: The first regional conference on the International Criminal Court (ICC) being held in Doha will be added as a new chapter in achieving international justice, the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said yesterday.
"This conference will be an opportunity for dialogue on the International Criminal Court, the desired position for it in the international judicial system and its role in achieving justice that we all aspire for the people of the entire world," said the Emir, while opening the two- day conference at the Ritz-Carlton.
"We must show our keenness to combat the crimes of aggression, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity and confirm our insistence on the need to bring the perpetrators to justice, in order to maintain global security and stability, and out of respect for human beings' dignity and legitimate rights," he further said.
This first regional diplomatic conference on the International Criminal Court is being held under the sponsorship of League of Arab States and Qatar in cooperation with the ICC.
The conference is designed to provide information on the functions of the ICC, its founding treaty -- Rome Statute: the mechanisms and safeguards that guarantee the Court's judicial independence, the Office of the prosecutor's policy, how the rights of the defence and victims are advanced and protected in ICC proceedings.
"This conference gives us an ideal opportunity to discuss the furtherance of joint efforts against international crimes that concern all of humanity. I also hope that this historic event will pave the way for making the Rome Statute system of international justice even more global than it is today," said Judge Sang-Hyun Song, President of the International Criminal Court addressing the conference.
"I give special gratitude to the State of Qatar and the League of Arab States for hosting this timely event, which demonstrates a strong commitment to the shared values of peace and justice," he said.
As the Rome Statute system increasingly becomes the world's instrument of choice in the suppression of atrocity crimes, Arab States remain critically underrepresented in the ICC. Only three countries Jordan, Djibouti and Comoros are party to the Rome Statute.
"At a time of political upheaval and uncertainty is in several countries of this region, what better time to embrace the ICC, an institution that represents justice, security and peace and increases the legal protection of each member nation?" Judge Song questioned.
"In these uncertain times, let us come together to defeat that threat and make this world a safer place to live in now and for generations to come," he said.
This conference is designed as a platform to enable high level delegates from ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs and Judicial institutes of the regional states, as well as experts and academics to engage and discuss issues of common interest and concern with the ICC through open and constructive dialogue.
© The Peninsula 2011
