PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
US: NGO tasks int'l community on ending impunity
New York, US (PANA) - A global network of civil society organisations has called on the international community to redouble efforts to end impunity for perpetrators of grave crimes all over the world.
In a statement issued at the end of the annual assembly of the governing body of the
International Criminal Court (ICC), which was held in New York, the Coalition for the ICC said the court cannot operate without the vital support of all partners in the fight against impunity for grave crimes that continue afflict untold numbers of victims all over the world.
The statement, obtained by PANA in New York on Thursday, quoted Mr. William Pace, convenor of the Coalition for the ICC, as saying: "Never before in history have we had the means to deal with these crimes, we cannot fail to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen and broaden the Rome Statute system.
"This ICC Assembly has highlighted the great desire for accountability among all peoples, we must now all redouble our efforts to make justice truly global."
He also said strong statements of support from African officials in particular set a positive tone for the 13th session of the Assembly of States Parties.
"In an atmosphere of constructive dialogue, stakeholders made strong statements of support for the Rome Statute system of international justice and the need to strengthen the ICC, paving the way for future sessions to include productive dialogue around crucial issues like domestic prosecutions and cooperation.
"The ICC Assembly must work intensively next year on improving cooperation, strategies for arresting suspects, protecting victims and witnesses, avoiding non-essential contact with indicted senior government officials, and stronger mechanisms to deal with governments that are failing to live up to their obligations," he said.
The Coalition for the ICC is a global network of civil society organisations in over 150 countries working together to strengthen international cooperation with the ICC.
It also works to ensure that the Court is fair, effective and independent, make justice both
visible and universal, and advance stronger national laws that deliver justice to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide
-0- PANA AA/SEG 18Dec2014
In a statement issued at the end of the annual assembly of the governing body of the
International Criminal Court (ICC), which was held in New York, the Coalition for the ICC said the court cannot operate without the vital support of all partners in the fight against impunity for grave crimes that continue afflict untold numbers of victims all over the world.
The statement, obtained by PANA in New York on Thursday, quoted Mr. William Pace, convenor of the Coalition for the ICC, as saying: "Never before in history have we had the means to deal with these crimes, we cannot fail to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen and broaden the Rome Statute system.
"This ICC Assembly has highlighted the great desire for accountability among all peoples, we must now all redouble our efforts to make justice truly global."
He also said strong statements of support from African officials in particular set a positive tone for the 13th session of the Assembly of States Parties.
"In an atmosphere of constructive dialogue, stakeholders made strong statements of support for the Rome Statute system of international justice and the need to strengthen the ICC, paving the way for future sessions to include productive dialogue around crucial issues like domestic prosecutions and cooperation.
"The ICC Assembly must work intensively next year on improving cooperation, strategies for arresting suspects, protecting victims and witnesses, avoiding non-essential contact with indicted senior government officials, and stronger mechanisms to deal with governments that are failing to live up to their obligations," he said.
The Coalition for the ICC is a global network of civil society organisations in over 150 countries working together to strengthen international cooperation with the ICC.
It also works to ensure that the Court is fair, effective and independent, make justice both
visible and universal, and advance stronger national laws that deliver justice to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide
-0- PANA AA/SEG 18Dec2014
