DFA: PHL deposits instrument of ratification for int'l crime court

After its Senate ratified it, the Philippines has deposited the Instrument of Ratification to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) with the United Nations Secretary-General. The Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday the deposit was made in simple ceremonies at the UN Office of Legal Affairs Treaty Section on August 30. "The Philippines, a democracy that champions international law and the rule of law, views being party to the Rome Statute of the ICC as a vital part of the on-going global campaign to end impunity and violence against individuals and to further strengthen a rules-based international system, specifically in relation to international human rights law and humanitarian law," Philippine Permanent Representative Ambassador Libran Cabactulan said, according to a news release of the DFA. "It is a clear signal of the importance with which the Philippines places to this treaty," he added. Witnessing the event was Sen. Lorna Regina "Loren" Legarda, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The ceremony made the Philippines the 117th state to join the Rome Statute system, the DFA said. President Benigno Aquino III signed the Instrument of Ratification last May 6, while the Philippine Senate concurred on August 24. Sen. Miriam Santiago sponsored Senate Resolution Number 546 which gave the Senate's concurrence and Legarda was co-sponsor. The Philippines is endorsing Santiago to gain a seat in the ICC. Cabactulan said the ICC will serve as a deterrent against genocide and other heinous crimes, and ensures that all perpetrators of these serious crimes of concern are held accountable. Based in The Hague, the ICC is an independent international body, separate from the UN system. It is the first permanent international court that deals with the gravest crimes against humanity. It has jurisdiction over individuals from States that are parties to the treaty in cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The United Nations Security Council may refer cases to the Prosecutor who may also start investigations. Among the cases considered by the Court since 2002 were those from Africa, such as Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. — LBG, GMA News