Ghana calls for universal ratification of the “ICC’s” Rome Statute
The call was made at the 21st session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in The Hague
Ghana has made a clarion call to all countries who are yet to ratify the “Rome Statute”, the law that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), to take steps to do so in order to give the Court the universal status it deserves.
The call was made today 6 December 2022, at the 21st session of the Assembly of States Parties to the “Rome Statute” of the International Criminal Court (ICC) ongoing at The Hague, in Netherlands.
Addressing States Parties, the leader of Ghana’s delegation and Ambassador to the Netherlands, Francis Danti Kotia, underscored the importance of the ICC as an institution, noting that, impunity has become the single most important threat to global peace. The threat of impunity Ambassador Kotia indicated, is the grounds on which Ghana is making the call for the universal acceptance of the ICC.
To this end, Ambassador Kotia noted that “it is regrettable that till date, the ICC has a membership of only 123 States Parties. Ghana according to Kotia, “aligns with every laudable efforts and calls for total universality of the Rome Statute”.
“Ghana, like other States Parties will continue to underscore the vital importance of the “Universality Principle” of the Court and wish to use this platform to reiterate the call for the universal ratification of the “Rome Statute” by all States such that, the jurisdiction of the ICC can apply to international crimes allegedly committed by any person at anywhere” Francis Danti Kotia said.
“This makes education and sensitization about the Rome Statute and the ICC imperative for a better appreciation of the mandate and responsibilities of the Court.
“Ghana also wishes to commend your efforts as President of the Court, for consistently promoting universality of the “Rome Statute” in various fora and recently at the International Conference of Parliamentarians in Buenos Aires” Ambassador Kotia added.
GIMPA Law Faculty
In his address, the leader of Ghana’s delegation “acknowledged the support of the International Criminal Court in the activities of the Africa Centre of International Criminal Justice (ACICJ) at the GIMPA Law School in Ghana.
He noted that “the Centre, which was established in May 2017, is dedicated to the promotion of international criminal law and justice in the world and in Africa in particular through research, capacity building, seminars and advocacy.
“The Centre has already proven its worth as it has emerged as a preeminent centre on legal scholarship and training in the field of international criminal justice.
“Judge Hofmanski also visited the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) where he delivered an inspiring speech on International Criminal Justice at the annual Public lecture organized by the African Centre of International Criminal Justice” Ambassador Kotia indicated.
State of Rome Statute ratifications
123 countries are States Parties to the “Rome Statute” of the International Criminal Court. Out of them 33 are African States, 19 are Asia-Pacific States, 18 are from Eastern Europe, 28 are from Latin American and Caribbean States, and 25 are from Western European and other States.
31 of the 139 states that have signed the “Rome Statute” have not ratified it. The US is not a State Party to the “Rome Statute”. The US participated in the negotiations that led to the creation of the court.
However, in 1998 the US was one of only seven countries – along with China, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Qatar, and Yemen – that voted against the “Rome Statute”.
Wilberforce Asare
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