PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE

TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Statement by

H.E. MR. ALLIEU I. KANU

Ambassador I Deputy Permanent Representative

of the Republic of Sierra Leone

6th Committee of the United Nations General Assembly

Agenda Item 158: Establishment of an International Criminal Court

New York, October 22, 1999

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to speak on Agenda Item 158, "the Establishment of an International Criminal Court. In the beginning of this debate, we did not intend to make a statement, especially as our position on the establishment of the Court is well known and the position was well articulated by our delegation in Rome and the two subsequent Preparatory Commissions in February and July 1999 respectively. Sierra Leone was one of the first countries to sign the Statute of the Court.

Mr. Chairman,

Yesterday, a new Cabinet, which is politically inclusive of the RUF, the AFRC representatives of political parties in Parliament, civil society and individuals with no party allegiance was formed.

For those who do not know the genesis of the conflict in Sierra Leone, the rebel groups committed the atrocities in the country.

Mr. Chairman,

As I speak here, Africa continues to witness the commission of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The civilian populations continue to

bear the brunt of these crimes.

In the circumstances, it is a most welcomed development that we are seriously looking into effective ways of making the ICC a reality. We are conscious of the

herculean tasks that lie ahead. The work on the elements of crime and rules of procedure have to be finalised. We also have a lot of work to do on the crime of aggression. My delegation, in the light of our country's experiences, has a strong position on this We will not, however, allow our emotions based on our experiences, come in the way of any consensus or comprise that may be reached We

whole heatedly welcome the decision to set up a working group on the crime of aggression. We look forward to working with this group in a constructive manner.

My delegation supports the early establishment of the ICC There is a legal, moral and political imperative that States support the early establishment of the ICC.

In this regard, Mr. Chairman, we want to plead with all delegations here to impress on their Governments to sign and ratify the Statue of the ICC. For this will send a clear and loud message to those who commit such heinous crimes that they no longer have a place to hide with impunity. Sierra Leone will soon commence the ratification process.

In conclusion, let me reinforce the clarion call of many delegations that the ICC will be established and in operation by the end of the fist year of the new

century.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.