Labour MP monitors progress of the International Criminal Court in the Hague

Labour MP Ross Robertson will be travelling to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague this week to attend the trial of two Kenyan politicians implicated in the deaths of hundreds of people in post-election violence in 2007.

The visit to The Hague, and the attendance at the trial of William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang, is being made by Mr Robertson in his capacity as president of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), a global parliamentary network. This network is made up of 1100 MPs from 139 countries who are dedicated to promoting human rights and arms control and bringing to justice those committing crimes against humanity.

Mr Robertson, who is stepping down from his President role when he retires from politics later this year, says the PGA has been making excellent progress over the past year on tougher regulations for illegal arms trading, improved international law and human rights, gender equality and the fostering of democratic processes within developing nations.

“I’m pleased this PGA executive meeting will allow for an official visit by the Board to the International Criminal Court, so we can meet the officials and see first-hand what progress is being made.”

“These criminal proceedings by the ICC are the sharp end of moves to improve international law and human rights, and that compliments the behind-the-scenes work of the PGA’s International Law & Human Rights Programme.”

“Under this, our members have mobilised to ensure the ICC maintains its momentum in bringing these criminals to justice, while also establishing the Rome Statute as a significant building block in the creation of an international legal framework for such prosecutions.”

Mr Robertson says PGA's vision is to help create a rules-based international order, for a more equitable, safe and democratic world.

The visit to The Hague will also include meetings with Dutch politicians. A plan of action for PGA for the coming year will also be developed.

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