Peace Coalition Applauds Creation of Global Criminal Court
April 11, 2002 – for immediate release
Toronto - The Canadian Peace Alliance today applauded the announcement that a global criminal court will finally become a reality on July 1, 2002.
It was announced in New York today that the treaty creating an International Criminal Court (ICC) has received more than the sixty ratifications needed for its formation.
Peace groups in Canada have long campaigned for the creation of such a court, seeing it as an important enforcement mechanism to end impunity for the worst violations of international humanitarian law.
The Government of Canada played an important role in the creation of the ICC. "Let’s hope that Canada continues to promote the International Criminal Court," said Carolyn Bassett, Coordinator of the Canadian Peace Alliance, "especially among allies who have yet to ratify it."
The ICC will investigate and prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in those instances when domestic courts are unable or unwilling to do so.
The Canadian Peace Alliance is Canada’s largest coalition of peace groups, with membership from coast to coast to coast.