After 10 years of internal political and legal hurdles, the Czech Republic has become the final EU member state to join the International Criminal Court as President Vaclav Klaus ratified its founding treaty, further to its approval by both chambers of the Czech Parliament in October 2008.
The Czech Republic’s ratification brings the total number of States Parties to the Court to 110 and marks a further significant step forward in the international community’s efforts to put an end to impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Declaration by Sergio Stanzani and Niccolo’ Figa-Talamanca, President and Secretary-General of No Peace Without Justice:
“No Peace Without Justice and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty congratulate the Czech Republic for this historic step, which concludes a lengthy and complex legislative process and meets one of the recommendations endorsed by all participants at the Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Ratification and Domestic Implementation of the ICC Statute that NPWJ organised together with the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague in December 2001.
“The ratification by the Czech Republic further strengthens the International Criminal Court, which needs support and cooperation from all States in order to effectively fulfil its investigative and prosecutorial mandate and will enhance the European Union’s role as a frontrunner in the endeavour to make international criminal justice a fair and effective tool for ending impunity. It is significant that the Review Conference, to be held in Kampala next year, will see the full participation of all EU member States in the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties: it will be an important sign of Europe’s steadfast commitment to justice, human rights and the rule of law.
“Now that Czech Republic has ratified the Rome ICC Statute, it must enact, as soon as possible, the implementing legislation that will enable the Czech Republic to cooperate fully with the ICC and fulfil its complementarity obligations. We look forward to Czech Republic taking this next important step as soon as possible, further solidifying its commitment to the victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide and to justice as an integral part of peace.”
For more information, contact Alison Smith, Coordinator of the International Criminal Justice Program, on asmith@npwj.org or Nicola Giovannini on ngiovannini@npwj.org or +32 (0)2 548-3910.
