ICC: AFRICA BEATS EUROPE! SENEGAL IS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO RATIFY THE STATUTE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT. THE TRANSNATIONAL RADICAL PARTY AND NO PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE CONGRATULATE PRESIDENT DIOUF OF SENEGAL.

Rome-New York-Brussels, January 27, 1999. Senegal is the first country that will ratify the ICC Rome Treaty. With this important achievement Senegal indicates to the rest of the world, and to Europe in particular, the path to be followed for the immediate entry into force of the permanent International Criminal Court, an institution that will come into operation when at least 60 countries will have ratified the Statute. The ICC will have jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The Transnational Radical Party and No Peace Without Justice commend President DIOUF, Foreign Minister BAUDIN and the Senegalese Parliament for having accelerated the bureaucratic procedures of the ratification and for having set the example for the rest of the international community.

Less than a year ago in DAKAR, President Diouf and European Commissioner Emma BONINO were debating the issue, along with other 25 African governments, at a Conference organized by the Senegalese Government and No Peace Without Justice.

The tragedies of Kosovo and Sierra Leone, of Congo and Angola should serve as a stimulus for the prompt coming into operation of the International Criminal Court. Governments and Parliaments can, and must, do all is in their powers to speed up the ratification and end impunity for war criminals.

Radical Party

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