Renewed demand to ratify Rome Statute
The National Judicial Council (NJC), Informal Sector Service Centre (Insec) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday called on the government to ratify the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Rome Statute.
Launching a study report jointly prepared by Insec and NJC on the scope of adoption and implementation of Rome Statute in Nepal, the rights bodies argued that its adoption would give some facelift to the hoisting milieu of impunity and insecurity in the nation, thereby enhancing Nepal’s international standing.
Stressing urgency to ratify the ICC’s treaty, the report highlights severe violations of human rights committed during the decade-long conflict. The Statute-defined crimes of all sorts have taken place in Nepal as well, the report says, adding that not ratifying the treaty at the earliest would further degrade the status of human rights in Nepal.
Adressing a function, NHRC Chairman Kedar Nath Upadhyay said ratification of the Rome Statute is necessary to make sure no criminal flees the court under any circumstances. He also drew connections between the spiralling impunity and Nepal’s failure to accede to the Statute. Insec Chairman Subodh Raj Pyakurel echoed Upadhyay saying ratification of the Statute would help curb impunity and lawlessness.
“On the pretext that the nation would soon be forming a commission on enforced disappearances and Truth and Reconciliation Commission, politicians have repeatedly said adoption of Rome Statute is not necessary in the context of Nepal,” said Pyakurel. “This is nothing except their attempt to foster impunity. Abiding by the ICC’s Rome Statute, the country will get respite from the rising culture of impunity as no criminal will be able to escape justice.”
The Statute adopted in July 1998 came into force on July 1, 2000, after ratification by more than 100 states. Among other things, the Statute establishes the ICC’s functions, jurisdictions and structure. Under the Statute, the ICC investigates and prosecutes in situations where states are unable or unwilling to deliver justice. The number of countries to have ratified it is 115.
Posted on: 2011-07-22 08:58
Post Your Comment
Today's Paper
The Kantipur in Print
FROM THE PAST 7 DAYS
ENTER KEYWORD OR DATE
FROM THE PAST 7 DAYS
ENTER KEYWORD OR DATE
Abin
All of them discussed the issue. The result was the same...and we have committed to continue discussions on the issue till midnight.
ADVERTISEMENTS
OUR PUBLICATION :
