Brussels, October 8, 1997
Dear Madam, dear Sir,
Last year the No Peace Without Justice and the Transnational Radical Party launched an International Appeal in support of the establishment of an International Criminal Court (ICC), to which various personalities and more than 800 parliamentarians from over 50 countries, subscribed.
This initiative, as well as those undertaken by the NGO Coalition for an ICC, were highly successful. On December 17, 1996, the 51st General Assembly of the United Nations welcomed the demands made in the Appeal, and adopted a Resolution that prolonged the mandate of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) entrusted with drafting the Courts Statute, scheduling the 1997/98 sessions, and above all, fixing the date of the Diplomatic Conference which would establish the ICC in Rome for June 1998.
Unfortunately, the PrepCom is making very slow progress. The results of the last meeting held in New York from August 4-15, show that a number of critical points still remain open. We feel, therefore, that it is extremely important to continue to exert pressure to ensure that the 1998 date is confirmed and that by then we will see the creation of a permanent ICC able to judge those considered guilty of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.
These are the reasons why last June, No Peace Without Justice launched a new international campaign in Paris. This will be developed by a series of regional conferences organized in various countries throughout the world, including Malta, Uruguay, Senegal, the United States, India and Italy, directed to the United Nations. The Transnational Radical Party considers the establishment of the ICC its top priority for 1998's activities.
No Peace Without Justice and the Transnational Radical Party have launched another appeal based on the 1996 one that will be delivered to the UN Secretary General and the 52nd President of the UN General Assembly during the 5th session of the PrepCom, December 1-12, 1997. This new version of the Appeal calls for war criminals, from the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, to be arrested, and to ensure that the Court is established at the Diplomatic Conference scheduled for June 1998, in Rome.
We deeply believe that an appeal supported by all NGOs that share this objective will be particularly effective for the creation of such an institution. We hope that you will subscribe to this new, extremely important initiative, and that you will show your endorsement adding your signature to the Appeal. We thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely yours,
Marino Busdachin Olivier Dupuis
General Secretary General Secretary
Of No Peace Without Justice Transnational Radical Party