New York, 5 July 2012 H.E. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Your Excellency,
We have the honor of writing to you on behalf of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), a global network of over 2,500 member NGOs in 150 countries, campaigning for a fair, effective, and independent Court and increased access to justice for victims of crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. On this occasion, we respectfully urge you to ensure Indonesia’s accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) at your earliest convenience.
Your Excellency, 2012 marks the tenth anniversary of the Court, a landmark institution which, despite various obstacles and challenges, is one of the most important achievements in international law, together with the establishment of the United Nations. During these ten years, the different organs of the Court – along with the incessant assistance and monitoring of civil society across the world – have had the tremendous task not only of creating a system aimed at putting an end to impunity for the gravest crimes, but also of initiating investigations and bringing alleged authors of these crimes to justice. Following its historic decision of March 14th 2012 in the Lubanga case, the Court continues to rely on states’
cooperation to ensure that suspects who remain at large are brought to the Court.
With the recent accession to the Rome Statute by Guatemala on 2 April, 121 states have now ratified or acceded to this treaty – an impressive number considering that almost two thirds of the world’s nations have now joined the system enshrined by the Statute over a period of only ten years. To date, however, only 17 states in the Asia-Pacific region have ratified the Statute, making this region one of the most under-represented within the Court. Notwithstanding, it is encouraging to note that of the six ratifications achieved in 2011, three correspond to Asia-Pacific States: The Philippines, Maldives and Vanuatu.
this regard, would like to congratulate Indonesia’s acceptance of the 12 recommendations concerning Rome Statute ratification that it received during the 13th Session of the Universal
Periodic Review held in Geneva last May.
The Coalition is aware of some of the obstacles and legal challenges that have surfaced with regards to some of the issues concerning the accession and implementation of the Rome Statute within domestic legislation, and it calls on your government to assess these concerns carefully and consider drawing examples from states parties that have successfully surpassed similar challenges. In addition, while the Coalition is aware that states face a number of different priorities in the international arena, we call on your government to consolidate its commitment toward International Justice and join the 121 nations that have become a part of the Rome Statute system. We are confident that Indonesia’s accession would not only represent an important tribute to the Court in its 10th anniversary year, but, due to your
important leadership in the region, would also have an impact in fellow ASEAN nations that have yet to join the Court.
Your Excellency, please accept the assurance of our highest consideration, and should we be of any assistance in this process, do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Brigitte Suhr Evelyn Balais-Serrano
Director of Regional Programs Asia-Pacific Coordinator
CC:
H.E. RM Marty M. Natalegawa Minister of Foreign Affairs
H.E. Mr. Amir Syamsuddin, SH, MH Minister of Justice and Human Rights H.E. Mr Purnomo Yusgiantoro Minister of National Defense H.E. Mr. Basrief Arief Attorney General
