Oct. 31, 1996

Statement by PENGIRAN ZABAIDAH

Mr. Chairman,

[...] The Government of Brunei Darussalam supports the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court. We identify with those who have stated there is no peace without justice and my delegation believes that those who have committed offences against humanity and human dignity should not go unpunished. Much work remains to be done but we must not lose momentum in coming up with a text that is workable. [...]

The establishment of the criminal court in the circumstances is therefore timely and overdue. We welcome the generous offer of the Government of Italy to host the Diplomatic Conference in June 1998.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we should be realistic and to be effective, the text of the Convention must be widely acceptable. However. we should not lose sight of our common goal to halt the vicious cycles of violence against humanity.