H.E. Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala
Prime Minister of Nepal
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Singh Durbar
Kathmandu, Nepal
.
Your Excellency,
.
At a time when the International Criminal Court (ICC) is moving forward in its crucial work to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes with its first three cases, I am writing to urge you to ensure that Nepal supports this new and vital system of international justice by acceding to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as possible. As you are aware, the Rome Statute entered into force in 2002 and to date 104 States have become parties to the Treaty.
.
In July 2006 I was pleased to learn that the former Nepalese House of Representatives issued a unanimous commitment resolution (Sankalpa) to accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC. Furthermore, I also welcomed statements made by top officials indicating that the country would take appropriate measures to promptly accede to this important international instrument.
.
Despite this support, there have been no further developments since that date and thus I call on you to ensure that this encouraging commitment translates into tangible steps that will pave the way toward Nepal joining the ICC as an additional Asian State Party.
.
As you are aware, Asia remains poorly represented at the Court, and greater Asian participation is needed to ensure that the ICC is enriched by the diverse legal cultures of the region. Currently, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Tajikistan are the only Asian States Parties to the ICC. Given the important commitments expressed by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to international human rights instruments, principles and values, as well as the ongoing political transition, I fully believe that Nepal’s accession would send a signal to the international community of their determination to ending impunity and strengthening the rule of law.
.
Sincerely,
Prime Minister of Nepal
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Singh Durbar
Kathmandu, Nepal
.
Your Excellency,
.
At a time when the International Criminal Court (ICC) is moving forward in its crucial work to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes with its first three cases, I am writing to urge you to ensure that Nepal supports this new and vital system of international justice by acceding to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as possible. As you are aware, the Rome Statute entered into force in 2002 and to date 104 States have become parties to the Treaty.
.
In July 2006 I was pleased to learn that the former Nepalese House of Representatives issued a unanimous commitment resolution (Sankalpa) to accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC. Furthermore, I also welcomed statements made by top officials indicating that the country would take appropriate measures to promptly accede to this important international instrument.
.
Despite this support, there have been no further developments since that date and thus I call on you to ensure that this encouraging commitment translates into tangible steps that will pave the way toward Nepal joining the ICC as an additional Asian State Party.
.
As you are aware, Asia remains poorly represented at the Court, and greater Asian participation is needed to ensure that the ICC is enriched by the diverse legal cultures of the region. Currently, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Tajikistan are the only Asian States Parties to the ICC. Given the important commitments expressed by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to international human rights instruments, principles and values, as well as the ongoing political transition, I fully believe that Nepal’s accession would send a signal to the international community of their determination to ending impunity and strengthening the rule of law.
.
Sincerely,
.
H.R.I.H. Prince of Septimio-Bahtzabbay el Tadmur
Grand Master of Sovereign Order Bonaria
