NCICC/INSEC campaign on ICC aims at facilitating the accession to the Rome Statute by the Nepal Government. It has taken momentum after the landmark decision of the House of Representatives (HoR) by unanimously directing the government to ratify the Rome Statute on ICC on 25 July 2006.
This campaign aims at raising awareness among the people, media, NGOs, political parties and other stake holders and engaging with the government and parliamentarians to take immediate decision to accede the Statute.
The campaign also aims at establishing cooperation with the international initiatives for the accession to ICC by Nepal Government.
Background
House of Representative has made a landmark decision by endorsing a unanimous directive proposal to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC to punish the perpetrators of international crimes including genocide, crime against humanity, war crimes and aggression. The unanimous directive proposal was endorsed by the meeting of the HoR on 25 July 2006. The proposal was presented by Parsuram Meghi Gurung, Member of HoR from CPN-UML.
MPs of Nepali Congress-Democratic, CPN-UML and People's Front Nepal fully supported the proposal stressing that Nepal Government should accept the jurisdiction of the ICC to maintain rule of law and preserve and promote human rights of citizens and end impunity.
House directed Nepal Government to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC paving way for international initiatives for justice to the people and end state of impunity, the resolution stated. The resolution is aimed at encouraging the government to ratify the statute, allowing international prosecution of any person committing crime against humanity and other serious offences.
Human rights NGOs potentially have a vital role to play in relation to pressurize government for the ratification of the treaty. They often have direct knowledge of violations and contacts with victims and witness communities. They are able to document violations soon after the incidence. Human rights NGO may also be in a good position to provide a broad picture of the context in which violations take place and present a pattern or trend of the events. The NGOs can initiate/play an important role in drawing attention of state for the ratification.
Human rights defenders have further role in pushing the process forward and ensuring the effective implementation of the ICC in the country. The campaign will be timely in terms of Nepal’s current transition to democratic rule where all efforts are focused on enacting domestic legislation and establishment of mechanisms and structures that will implement human rights and democratic principles.
The Need for an ICC in Nepal is:
- To end the widespread impunity which has resulted in the failure of rule of law
- Not to recur injustice in future and to put an end to impunity against crime against humanity and war crimes.
- To cooperate with the global body
- Translate its international commitments into reality.
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