International Court Is A Deterrent To Criminals

UN Deputy Secretary-General Says International Court Is A Deterrent To Criminals

New York, Nov 8 2005

Celebrating the 100th ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette said today in New York that without justice there can be neither respect for human rights nor lasting peace.

"Far too often in the past the gravest crimes and those who committed them have gone unpunished," she said. "The ICC, with the mandate to bring the authors of atrocities to justice, puts would-be criminals on notice that we, the international community, have resolved to be passive no longer. Impunity, for too long a pernicious enemy of the rule of law, will no longer be the norm."

The Statute has been in force for three years, and Ms. Fréchette noted that cooperation between the ICC and the UN increased with the entry into force last year of their Relationship Agreement.

The Court's most important achievement may well remain unsung, however, "because the crimes in question have been deterred by the increasing likelihood that those who commit them would be called to account," she said.

Today, for the first time, the President of the Court, Judge Philippe Kirsch, presented a report on the ICC's activities to the UN General Assembly.

ENDS

© Scoop Media