ICC JUDGE: INDIA MUST RATIFY ICC

"Mass crimes are crimes against humanity, genocide, persecution - serious crimes. A universal acceptance of the court is necessary, and India, as one of the world's largest democracies, can help develop international law against mass crimes...The Indian Penal Code is fairly comprehensive. But it does not spell out as crimes many acts that are considered grave crimes under the international laws,” Chief Judge and President of the International Criminal Court, Phillippe Kirsch, said.

India was one of many countries actively involved in drafting the Rome Statute, the treaty that establishes the ICC. India has failed to ratify the treaty, however, joining other countries such as Israel and the U.S. Law researcher Dr. Usha Ramanathan supports India’s ratification of the ICC, stating that "we [India] still consider genocide as murder. Ratifying the ICC will enable India to strengthen its own national laws to deal with grave crimes committed on its own territory." Thus far, 100 countries have become members of the Court, some despite strong pressure from the U.S.
 

Updated January 4, 2006

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for LRA Leaders

Warrants are historic first for new Court.

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UN Reform Document Silent on Call for End to Impunity
Lack of recognition for International Criminal Court’s authority to prosecute perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide a glaring omission
(September 27, 2005)
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