Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) has urged the Government of Nepal to ratify the Rome Statute.
INSEC urged for this in a statement commemorating July 17 the day the Rome Statute was passed for the establishment of the International Criminal Court.
As mentioned in the statement- ‘INSEC has been demanding ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court for years and has also been reminding the government of the commitments made for human rights at the international level and to penalize those involved in activities against human rights and humanity.’
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was established for ratification on July 17, 1998. This statute has been ratified by 123 nations of the world. Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the Maldives from South Asia along with nineteen countries of Asia, have joined the Rome Statute.
The statement mentions that the government has not addressed INSEC’s demand for years to ratify the Rome Statute.
‘The International Criminal Court established under the Rome Statute holds those responsible for serious crimes like war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity defined by the international law and ensures justice for victims.’- mentioned in the statement.
INSEC has also requested the government to be assured about the fact that the establishment of the International Criminal Court does not interfere or reduce the area of jurisdiction of the national court.
INSEC has also pointed out that Nepal has received suggestions from various countries to ratify the Rome Statute for the establishment of the International Criminal Court in the three cycles of Universal Periodic Reviews, which has not been addressed yet.
INSEC urges the Government of Nepal to show respect for international law by approving the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
In Madhes Province, the human rights activists have submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Chief District Officer on July 17. A team lead by Informal Sector Service Centre has submitted the memorandum to the Chief District Officers of Dhanusha, Saptari, Siraha, Rautahat, Sarlahi and Bara.
In Bagmati Province, on the occasion of the day of establishment of the International Criminal Court, a team lead by Informal Sector Service Centre has submitted the memorandum to the Chief District Officers of Sindhupalchowk, Chitwan, Sindhuli, Dhading, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.
In Gandaki Province, on the occasion of World Day for International Justice, human rights activists along with INSEC have submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through Chief District Officers of various districts of Gandaki province demanding to approve the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on July 17. On July 25, 2006, the restored House of Representatives in Nepal issued a directive to the Government of Nepal to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and unanimously passed a resolution. In addition, the then foreign minister Upendra Yadav presented the agenda of the immediate ratification of the Rome Statute to the cabinet of the then government on February 11, 2013. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court has been ratified by 123 countries around the world. A team lead by Informal Sector Service Centre has submitted the memorandum to the Chief District Officers of Kaski, Tanahu, Nawalparasi East, Gorkha, Parbat, Baglung and Myagdi.
In Lumbini Province, an interaction program was organized by INSEC Lumbini Province Office in collaboration with National Human Rights Commission and Advocacy Forum. Speaking during the program, Judge Keshavraj Joshi of the High Court of Nepalganj said that Nepal has become a party to various treaties and the state should ratify the Rome Statute without delay. INSEC Lumbini Province Coordinator Bhola Mahat gave a welcome speech and said that the Rome Statute should be ratified. Lumbini Province Office also released a press statement.
