Permanent Mission of Uganda

to the United Nations

Statement

By Mrs. Juliet D. Semambo Kalema

Representative of Uganda

Sixth Committee

54th Session United Nations General Assembly

Agenda Item: 158

Establishment of an International Criminal Court

22 October 1999

Mr. Chairman,

As we stand at the threshold of the new millennium we take note of the various

achievements in the progressive development of international law.

The adoption of the Statute to Establish the International Criminal Court on July 17th, 1998 in Rome was one major mile stone in that regard. We managed to finally accomplish the work which the United Nations General Assembly first entrusted with the international Law Commission in 1948. We reiterate our firm belief that the establishment of the Court will go along way in ensuring that those who commit grave crimes with impunity against humanity do not escape punishment, thereby reaffirming the rule of law and protection of human life and dignity.

Needless to say the Court is intended to be independent, credible and efficient

and will only exercise its jurisdiction where national legal systems are unavailable or ineffective. Initially its jurisdiction will be limited to crimes

against humanity, genocide and war crimes. We look forward to a time when other heinous crimes will finally be brought under the ambit of this Court during the review period of the Statute.

Mr. Chairman,

Following the Rome Conference, a Preparatory Commission for the International

Court was established in accordance with the Resolution F with the mandate to further elaborate on the rules of procedure and evidence of the Court,

the elements of the crimes and later the definition of the crime of aggression and other relevant legal instruments. This process which will finally bring into operation the long desired Criminal Court is scheduled to be completed by June 30th, 2000.

The Preparatory Commission has so far had two sessions this year in February and

July. We attach great importance to its work where negotiation represented various legal system and touched on a range of issues. We welcome the substantial progress so far made by the prep com during this period. In this regard we express our appreciation to the Chairman, Ambassador Philippe Kirsch, the other members of the Bureau and the Coordinators of the working groups for their diligence in conducting the difficult work of the preparatory commission. We also acknowledge the supportive role played by the Secretariat. In light of the work ahead of us, we share the view already expressed by other delegations, that adequate resources and time should be allocated to the Commission.

Mr. Chairman,

Whilst we are undertaking the task of drafting the documents that will

operationalise the Court, we should remind ourselves about our obligation of signing the statute and ratifying it as provided for by the relevant provisions. Neglecting to do so will mean that all our efforts would have been wasted since

the statute will only remain in print. We were informed on Wednesday that while 88 States have signed the Statute, only four have ratified as of today. Yet for it to enter into force, it requires sixty ratifications.

By this time last year when my delegation addressed this Committee on the

same agenda item, Uganda had not yet signed the statute. I am glad to report that on 17th March of this year we did sign and are now working seriously in completing our internal procedures towards ratification of the statute. We hope

that others who have not yet signed or ratified it, will take similar steps in order to give full realization of the process that started almost 50 years ago.

Mr. Chairman,

We note that in an effort to encourage Member States to sign and ratify this statute, a number of workshops and seminars were organized this year. My delegation was only able to participate in the two briefing sessions hosted by the International Human Rights Law Institute of De Paul University and

Parliamentarians for Global Action on 31st July and 7th August, 1999 in New York at the United Nations Headquarters. We found them to be very useful and informative and we thank the organizers for their effort.

Mr. Chairman,

Let me take this opportunity to convey the gratitude of this delegation to those

countries that have continued to make voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund

established pursuant to paragraph 8 of General Assembly Resolution 53/105.

This fund did not only make it possible for the Least Developed Countries to

participate in the work prior to, and in the Rome Conference but has continued to facilitate their participation in the current work of the prep com. My country is one of those that have benefited and we sincerely appreciate the

gesture. We equally thank the Human Rights Law Institute of De Paul University for its contributions towards accommodation.

Mr. Chairman,

Notwithstanding the significant progress achieved, much remains to be done before the targeted date of June 30th, 2000, as was reported by the chairman of the Prepcom. My delegation pledges its continued support to the preparatory commission as it discharges its mandate. We hope that the constructive

cooperation and understanding demonstrated during the Rome Conference will continue to prevail.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.