Palestine joins war crimes court

The Hague, April 1, GNA - Palestine today became the 123rd member state of the International Criminal Court (ICC) following the entry into force earlier this week of its accession to the Rome Statute of the ICC, which it had deposited in January.

The Coalition for the ICC (CICC) welcomed the move, pointing out that it is a step towards accountability and justice for victims in one of the world's longest-running conflicts.

The ICC, based in The Hague, will now have jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed within Palestinian territory, and over Palestinian nationals, from today onward.

'The Rome Statute's entry into force in Palestine gives hope to victims in both Palestine and Israel that they might see justice done and the conflict brought to a peaceful end,' said William R. Pace, convenor of the CICC, a global network of civil society organisations in over 150 countries working together to strengthen international cooperation with the ICC.

'The international community must now stand with victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, support the ICC process and efforts to promote accountability at the national level,' Mr. Pace added.

He urged the Palestinian authorities 'to bring their national laws in line with the Rome Statute to allow for full cooperation with the ICC and effective domestic investigations into alleged atrocities'.

Civil society has been working for many years to encourage Palestine and Israel to join the ICC, including in 2013 as part of the CICC's Campaign for Global Justice.

'The ICC can provide accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity that were allegedly committed against the protected Palestinian civilians and their properties,' said Issam Younis, General Director of the Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights in Gaza. 'It is another important step that moves us closer towards justice.'  

Dr. Ishai Menuchin, Executive Director of the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, said: 'All Israeli citizens who hold human rights and democratic values dear should support Palestine's bid to join the ICC.

'It is time that universal values and norms become the framework through which the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is viewed and resolved. It is time that complaints of torture and suspicions of war crimes be examined by the Israeli justice system. Otherwise, they will be investigated by The Hague.'

Last December, Palestine made a declaration under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute retroactively accepting the ICC's jurisdiction from 13 June 2014.

The ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda from The Gambia, has opened a preliminary examination to determine whether to proceed with a full investigation into alleged grave crimes allegedly committed during that timeframe.

As a state party to the Rome Statute, Palestine can now participate during sessions of the ICC's governing body, the Assembly of States Parties, including nominating and voting for judges and other elected Court officials.

Palestine is the third state from the Middle East and North Africa region to become party to the Statute following Jordan and Tunisia.

GNA