Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

NZ Must Reject US Request For War Crimes Impunity

NZ Must Reject US Request For Impunity For War Crimes

Monday 3 September 2002

Amnesty International today called on the Government to reject a US request that it sign an agreement to give US nationals impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The New Zealand Government has been approached by the US Government as part of a worldwide campaign requesting that it sign an agreement providing that New Zealand will not surrender or transfer US nationals to the new International Criminal Court.

"New Zealand played an instrumental role in the establishment of the International Criminal Court ? the Government must now act to prevent the Court unravelling as a result of the US Government's campaign," said Amnesty International's NZ director, Ced Simpson.

"These agreements aim to undermine and weaken a new international system being created by the international community to end impunity for the worst crimes known to humanity."

"As a state party to the Rome Statute establishing the Court, New Zealand is obliged under international law to comply with requests by the International Criminal Court to arrest and surrender persons accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. New Zealand would be violating its obligations under international law if it signed the impunity agreement sought by the US," Mr Simpson said.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court entered into force on 1 July 2002. As of 27 August 2002, 78 states had ratified it; 139 states have signed it. It is expected that the Court will be operational in the first half of 2003.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The USA has been the only state actively to oppose the establishment of the International Criminal Court. Since the adoption of the Rome Statute in July 1998, the US has sought an exemption for US nationals from the jurisdiction of the Court.

Amnesty International, other NGOs and governments, including the New Zealand Government, have repeatedly argued that US fears that the Court could be used for politically motivated prosecutions against US nationals have no basis since the Rome Statute contains substantial safeguards and fair trial guarantees that it is extremely unlikely that such a situation would arise.

Ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
UN News: Aid Access Is Key Priority

Among the key issues facing diplomats is securing the release of a reported 199 Israeli hostages, seized during the Hamas raid. “History is watching,” says Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “This war was started by taking those hostages. Of course, there's a history between Palestinian people and the Israeli people, and I'm not denying any of that. But that act alone lit a fire, which can only be put out with the release of those hostages.” More


Save The Children: Four Earthquakes In a Week Leave Thousands Homeless

Families in western Afghanistan are reeling after a fourth earthquake hit Herat Province, crumbling buildings and forcing people to flee once again, with thousands now living in tents exposed to fierce winds and dust storms. The latest 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km outside of Herat on Sunday, shattering communities still reeling from strong and shallow aftershocks. More

UN News: Nowhere To Go In Gaza

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said some 1.1M people would be expected to leave northern Gaza and that such a movement would be “impossible” without devastating humanitarian consequences and appeals for the order to be rescinded. The WHO joined the call for Israel to rescind the relocation order, which amounted to a “death sentence” for many. More


Access Now: Telecom Blackout In Gaza An Attack On Human Rights

By October 10, reports indicated that fixed-line internet, mobile data, SMS, telephone, and TV networks are all seriously compromised. With significant and increasing damage to the electrical grid, orders by the Israeli Ministry of Energy to stop supplying electricity and the last remaining power station now out of fuel, many are no longer able to charge devices that are essential to communicate and access information. More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.