By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 21 December 2006
BAHRAIN and other Arab countries were yesterday urged to ratify the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty to show the world they are serious about respecting human rights.
Civil societies from across the Gulf met in Bahrain yesterday to form a strategy to urge their governments to ratify the treaty, which obliges signatories to accept the court’s jurisdiction and co-operate with it.
The only countries in the Arab world that have ratified the agreement so far are Jordan, Djibouti and the Comoros Islands.
Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) regional co-ordinator Amal Basha said most efforts are being exerted on countries where it is likely that the treaty will be signed, rather than places where it is a long shot.
By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 21 December 2006
BAHRAIN and other Arab countries were yesterday urged to ratify the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty to show the world they are serious about respecting human rights.
Civil societies from across the Gulf met in Bahrain yesterday to form a strategy to urge their governments to ratify the treaty, which obliges signatories to accept the court’s jurisdiction and co-operate with it.
The only countries in the Arab world that have ratified the agreement so far are Jordan, Djibouti and the Comoros Islands.
Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) regional co-ordinator Amal Basha said most efforts are being exerted on countries where it is likely that the treaty will be signed, rather than places where it is a long shot.
“Most of our work is in Yemen, Morocco, Lebanon and Bahrain (which is expected to sign next year),” said Ms Basha.
“Saudi Arabia, for example, is probably the most difficult country. So far we haven’t been able to organise any events there at all.”
Ms Basha said if countries of the region ratify the treaty, it would show the international community that the Arab world isn’t falling behind in this area.
“Ratifying the treaty means that countries accept the ICC’s jurisdiction over three areas: namely, crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide,” she said.
“It will show that our culture is transparent and respects human rights.”
The two-day meeting, being held at Ramee International Hotel, Juffair, is being organised by the coalition, the International Federation of Human Rights and the Bahrain Human Rights Society.
Society vice-secretary general Dr Abdulla Aldeerazi said Bahrain would benefit from ratifying the treaty. “Ratification is on Bahrain’s agenda for the first quarter of next year,” he said.
“In addition to improving its reputation, its current membership in the UN Human Rights Council would give it a say in the appointment of judges.”
FIDH North Africa and Middle East desk director Stephanie David said the event was part of a series of seminars in the Arab world in response to a request to strengthen the ratification campaign.
Former MP Abdulhadi Marhoon also called for the ratification. “It would give small countries the power to take up issues against more powerful ones,” he said.
© Gulf Daily News
