DHAKA, July 17, 2018 (BSS) – Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury today drew attention of member states of International Criminal Court (ICC) to the devastating consequences of the recent influx of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh reiterated its support to the Rome Statute and the ICC to put an end to the impunity, bring the perpetrators of the world’s most heinous crimes to justice and uphold the rule of law, the Speaker said while speaking at the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute in The Hague, according to a message received here.
She highlighted Bangladesh’s genuine efforts to facilitate voluntary return to their homes in safety, security and dignity.
Referring to the trial of those who committed war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity during Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971, following the ‘complementarity’ principle enshrined in the Rome Statute, Dr
Chaudhury said Bangladesh has demonstrated its firm commitment to the Rome Statute by undertaking this challenging task.
She drew the attention about the technological progress that is superseding the national borders and stressed on the importance of ICC’s flexibility and openness to new ideas and voices to remain relevant to the
coming decades and to put an end to impunity, uphold the rule of law and ensure access to justice for all peoples.
Mentioning that an innovative aspect of the Rome Statute is the creation of Trust Fund for Victims facilitating reparative justice, Dr Chaudhury extended Bangladesh’s support to the Trust Fund as it will help soothe the
victims.
High-level representatives from the States Parties to the Rome Statute, including the President of Nigeria, and Ministers and Parliament Speakers from a good number of States Parties, attended the celebration of the 20th
anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute in The Hague.