World Justice Day
International justice cannot be selective. Our global Court needs to become universal – Judge Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court
Today (July 17th) is observed as the International Justice Day or World Day for International Justice. It marks the twentieth anniversary of the Treaty of Rome that established the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is first permanent court which is established to end impunity for the perpetrators of most serious crimes which are of great concern to the international community, such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.
The Rome Statute acknowledges that common bonds unite all peoples and that millions of children, women and men have been victims of unimaginable atrocities that severely shock the conscience of humanity. The Statute recognizes that such grave crimes threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world and affirms that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished and that their effective prosecution must be ensured by taking measures at the national level and by enhancing international cooperation. The State parties are determined to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes and thus to contribute to the prevention of such crimes and acknowledge that every State must exercise its criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes.
Today on International Justice Day we must not forget that justice is about the fair and proper administration of laws and protecting rights and punishing wrongs using fairness and respect for human rights and for the principles on which democratic states of law are based can rule. We must not forget that millions of children, women and men have been victims of unimaginable atrocities that deeply shock the conscience of humanity. Every State that professes Rule of Law must put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes and contribute to the prevention of such crimes.
This is a day to reflect upon the victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes and to celebrate the international community’s continued efforts to create a more just and peaceful world. Seven Nations (USA, China, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Qatar and Israel) have voted against the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 1998. Some other States are contemplating withdrawing from the ICC.
The International Criminal Bar urges that all states, without exception, become a part of the International Criminal Court and demands that all countries cooperate actively with the International Criminal Court. Judge Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court has said International justice cannot be selective. Our global Court needs to become universal.
Millions have been victims of unimaginable atrocities and grave crimes threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world. This evil must stop. Every State is duty bound to exercise its criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes.
advocatedavid View All →
An Advocate practising at the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court, other High Courts in India and the National Company Law Tribunal. He acts as counsel for parties before Arbitral Tribunals (ICC, LCIA, ICA, & DIAC proceedings). He is serving as a Governing Body Member of the Indian Council of Arbitration and is a Registered Foreign Lawyer of the Singapore International Commercial Court.
He practices in the areas like Corporate & Commercial Litigation, Arbitration, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Company Law, Insolvency & Bankruptcy, Access to Information, Mining Law and Competition Law.
His areas of interest besides legal are writing on Constitutional and other legal issues; Golf and Photography.
The social needs, Mr Robin David is committed to, are Child rights, labour welfare, access to education, access to justice, access to health, mentoring, technology for the marginalized; the digital divide, and online safety.
He has been writing since the age of 7, and he delights in speaking about current constitutional issues.
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