October 31, 1995

Statement by Mrs. Ph. Dascalopoulou-Livada

We believe that the work of the Ad Hoc Committee has proved beyond any doubt that the question is now mature enough to start preparing for a Diplomatic Conference on it. For this reason we are of the view that a preparatory Committee or a similar body should be set up for next year with authority to draft texts which could be considered by the Diplomatic Conference. The latter could then be scheduled to be held in 1997.

We believe that, at this point in time, there is a momentum for the creation of an International Criminal Court, a momentum which is justified by the growing awareness that the international community can no longer stay inactive in the face of grave international criminal responsibility. We should not let this momentum escape us.