THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CALLS ON THE ROME DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE TO CONCLUDE THE TEXT OF A STATUTE FOR AN INDEPENDENT, FAIR AND EFFECTIVE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AND STRESSES ALL FUNDAMENTAL PROVISIONS OF THIS COURT.

Strasbourg - Rome, 22 June, 1998. The European Parliament approved by a vast majority a resolution on the International Criminal Court last Thursday, calling on the on-going Rome Diplomatic Conference to conclude the text of a Statute for an independent, fair and effective International Criminal Court. In this resolution, promoted by six political groups (Socialists; People's Party; Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party; European United Left; Greens; and Radical Alliance), the European Parliament also calls on the Member States, the Council and the Commission representatives to be active in ensuring a successful outcome and not to compromise on essential points of principle in efforts to conciliate reluctant states.

The European Parliament considers the essential points to be: a) an independent prosecutor able to initiate and conduct investigations and prosecutions, on an own-initiative basis; b) the Court's inherent and universal jurisdiction on the core crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes without any state consent requirement; c) a good working relationship with the existing International Courts already established in The Hague; d) a constructive relationship with the United Nations, and in particular with the Security Council, in full recognition of their respective roles and competencies; e) the obligation of States Parties to comply without delay with orders and decisions of the Court; f) the highest standards of respect for the rights of the accused and of the suspects and the protection of the interests of victims and witnesses; g) the guarantee of long-term financing to ensure the Court's self-reliance and independence from any external pressure. The European Parliament furthermore stresse

s that the Court's jurisdiction over core crimes should apply to the same range of criminal acts committed both in international and intranational armed conflicts.

Declaration of Olivier Dupuis, Member of the European Parliament and Secretary General of the Transnational Radical Party:

"It is of the great importance that the European Parliament expresses its position in such a strong and determined manner, in the time of the on-going negotiations in Rome, where the Parliament's Members were not allowed to participate as observers. It is also significant that the Parliament calls for universality and transparency of the negotiations and the continued participation of the international legal community and civil society.

In this rare moment, when the world is after fifty years of hesitation so close to mark this century with setting up a base stone for the Rule of Law, to grant the Right to Life and the Life of Rights to each and every human being, the Transnational Radical Party together with "No Peace Without Justice" joins the voice of public opinion and urges all the delegates of the Diplomatic Conference to do their utmost for the establishment of an effective and autonomous International Criminal Court that we were all hoped and worked for."

Enclosed: Resolution approved by European Parliament

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