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Local MP to lead discussion on role of International Criminal Court

Ross Robertson

27.05.2008

Manukau East MP Ross Robertson, a member of the Foreign Affairs & Trade Select Committee, has been invited to address a major international seminar on international justice and security and the role of the International Criminal Court, in Suriname on June 6 and 7 this year.

Ross Robertson is attending in his role as chair of the International Council of Parliamentarians for Global Action and has been invited to meet with the President of the republic, Ronald Venetiaan.

The seminar is to be held in the tiny republic of Suriname on the eastern coast of South America which is bordered by Guyana.  Suriname has a population of just less than 500,000, and the official language is Dutch.

Ross Robertson said he is excited both by the opportunity to visit such an out of the way and interesting place, but more importantly, to discuss the developing role of the International Criminal Court.

New Zealand is internationally recognised as being one of the first countries that signed, ratified and legislated to recognise the Statute. 

Since its establishment in 2002 it has taken an increasing role in investigating and adjudicating the most serious crimes against humanity, such as genocide, war crimes and crimes of aggression - such as the high profile trial of the president of the former Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milošević.

Ross Robertson said that as a member of the PGA "it is our duty as elected parliamentarians to protect civilians from atrocities, violence and armed conflict, and law abiding nations have all to gain and nothing to lose in joining the new system of international criminal justice created by the ICC."

The ICC has been coined the ‘court of last resort' as it can only intervene when nation states are unable, or unwilling, to investigate and prosecute themselves.

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