ICC conference adopts Kampala declaration

By Patrick Mathangani

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Review Conference adopted the Kampala Declaration in which nations called for universal membership to the court and revamped measures to ensure pursuit of justice does not disrupt peace.

The 84 member states attending also called for enhanced co-operation between nations and the court, as well as assisting members strengthen their local justice systems.

Another 17 nations, which have not ratified the Rome Statute (the document that set up the ICC) also attended as observers.

Main focus

The declaration identified victims as the main focus of the court, calling for the boosting of help available to them to assist them rebuild their lives.

The rights of victims concerning security and protection as they give evidence were also stressed during general debate, which ended Thursday.

"As regards the inclusion of the crime of aggression in the court’s jurisdiction, many states considered it essential that an amendment to the Statute be adopted at the review conference," the Assembly of State Parties said in a press release.

The conference was organised by the assembly, and sought to take stock of the ICC’s work since inception in 2002 as well as make amendments to the Statute.

The amendments seek to include poisonous gases among weapons banned in internal conflicts, adopt a definition of the crime of aggression, and work out how it will be handled by the court.

The declaration stressed on full implementation of the Statute as nations pledged their resolve to end impunity and bring criminals to account.

States also set aside July 17, the day the Statute was adopted in 1998, as the Day of International Criminal Justice. Observers included Palestine, China and the US, and hundreds of civil society groups.

Following conclusion of general debate in which all represented countries gave presentations, the conference will now look into specific issues, particularly the controversial crime of aggression.

A working group will thrash out the matter through next week, when resolutions are expected to be made. The conference ends on June 11.

Kenya is represented at the Rome Statute Review Conference by Attorney General Amos Wako and other delegates, including Nobel Laureatte Wangari Maathai, Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s advisor on coalition affairs Miguna Miguna and lawyer Betty Murungi.