PUTRAJAYA – Ratifying the Rome Statute and becoming a member of the International Crime Court (ICC) require thorough education among the people, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
He said the “stigma” surrounding the ICC should be rectified, as it investigates the “most atrocious” crimes in the world.
“(The ICC) is about the most atrocious crimes that are being investigated – if indeed the finding is made that the domestic countries are not able to deal with that.
“So there is a clear hierarchy of investigations.
“What is needed is further education about what (ratifying the Rome Statute) means for a country, and to overcome some of the misconceptions that exist about joining it,” he told a press conference at the UN Offices in Menara PjH, here today.
He was responding to a question on how the UN would help facilitate Malaysia’s attempt in ratifying the statute.
The Rome Statute is a treaty that established the ICC, an organisation aimed at prosecuting significant crimes internationally.
The government had initially signed the Roman Statute in March 2019, but was still required to ratify it.
However, in April of the same year, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad withdrew from the statute after the then-opposition parties – Umno and PAS – objected to it, claiming it would undermine Malay privilege and the legal immunity of the rulers.
It also led to now-Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim claiming that signing the treaty would breach the constitution, as it involved the powers of the monarchy, Malay rights, and Islam.
There are currently 124 nations that are members of the statute, though only 60 have ratified it.
Speaking further, Turk said all member nations underscore the importance of accountability by being a part of the ICC.
“Clearly, the (124) countries have gone down the path, and for them, it is important – because it is about accountability.
“Accountability is what is missing in most human rights crises around the world.”
One of the most recent cases the ICC has taken was its chief prosecutor seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to charge him with war crimes amid the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict. – June 4, 2024
