Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 3

Written Answers. - International Criminal Court.

Denis Foley

Question:

29 Mr. Foley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the issue of the establishment of a permanent international criminal court is fully debated during the Irish Presidency of the EU, particularly in view of recent atrocities in Bosnia. [11116/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The establishment of a permanent international criminal court has been discussed within the United Nations system for almost 50 years. The debate has been marked by occasional bouts of urgency interspersed with long periods of inactivity.

The establishment by the Security Council of ad hoc tribunals to deal with the appalling violations of human rights in former Yugoslavia and in Rwanda had the effect of reviving the idea of establishing a permanent independent international criminal court. It also galvanised the international legal community into undertaking serious work towards its inception.

I have sought to maintain this impetus at the political and diplomatic level and I have raised the question of the establishment of a permanent international criminal court on the last three occasions upon which I have addressed the United Nations General Assembly. Indeed, last year at the historic 50th General Assembly, I stated:

There is a growing acceptance that violations of humanitarian law are a threat to international peace and security. The case for the establishment of a Permanent International Criminal Court is therefore more obvious than ever. It is only through such a body that the international community can effectively demonstrate that massive human rights violations will never go unpunished.

As an indication of the seriousness of its purpose, the 50th General Assembly established a preparatory committee to meet for two sessions during 1996. The preparatory committee is widely seen as the penultimate step on the road to the adoption of a convention establishing a permanent international criminal court. Ireland participated actively in the first session of the preparatory committee from 25 March-12 April 1996.

Ireland will hold the Presidency of the European Union both at the second session of the preparatory committee in August 1996 and later that autumn at the 51st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Ireland will therefore be responsible for co-ordinating the European Union's position on the court. All 15 members states of the European Union have indicated their support for the court. Although partners occasionally lay stress on different priorities in relation to the court, they share a broad common purpose. The Deputy may therefore rest assured that the Irish Presidency will see to it that the question of the establishment of a permanent international criminal court is fully debated in all appropriate fora.