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From 16 to 17 May 2012 the President of the Assembly of States Parties (“the Assembly”), Ambassador Tiina Intelmann visited Rabat, Morocco. As part of her participation in the campaign for universality of the Rome Statute, she met with several Moroccan government officials and took part in parliamentary consultations for Middle Eastern and North African Parliamentarians, which were co-organised by the Parliament of Morocco and Parliamentarians for Global Action.
In her meeting with H.E. Mr. Saad-Eddine El Othmani, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco she highlighted the achievements of the International Criminal Court (“the Court”) in its first ten years of operation. The tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Rome Statute, and the first ratification of the amendments on the crime of aggression were an excellent opportunity for Morocco to once again consider ratification carefully, said the President.
President Intelmann also underscored the importance that parliamentarians play in the process of ratification in her meetings with several Moroccan parliamentarians including Mr. Mohamed Yatim, MP, First Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives, Mr. Mohammed Benabdessadeq, MP, Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, and Mr. Driss Lachguar, MP. President Intelmann plans to continue her efforts to reach out to parliamentarians of States Parties and non-States Parties throughout her tenure.
Speaking at the opening of the parliamentary consultations, President Intelmann recalled the leading role played by Middle Eastern and Northern African States in the establishment of the Court, and in the negotiations on the crime of aggression. She expressed her hope that the mood of change that has gripped the region would encourage parliaments to take a new look at the Statute and the Court.
Additionally, President Intelmann met with Dr. Hassan Maaouni, President of the forum des initiatives de développement et consolidation de la primauté du droit, members of Moroccan civil society and gave a series of interviews to the local press.
For further information on the Assembly of States Parties, please e-mail to [email protected].