On Friday, 2 December 2011, the Republic of Vanuatu deposited to the United Nations its instrument of accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Statute will enter into force for Vanuatu on 1 February 2012, making Vanuatu the 120th State Party to the Rome Statute.
The ICC President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, warmly welcomed Vanuatu’s accession to the Rome Statute, saying, “With this act, Vanuatu strengthens its contribution to the international legal order and acquires additional protection for its territory and population against the gravest crimes known to humanity. I hope Vanuatu’s example will encourage other members of the Pacific Island Forum – many of which still remain outside the Rome Statute system – to join the ICC in the near future”.
The President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, Ambassador Christian Wenaweser, said: “This accession shows the Pacific Region’s commitment to international criminal justice. It is also an important milestone for the Assembly, as the number of States Parties has now reached the number of States that voted in favour of the Rome Statute in 1998”.
By acceding to the Rome Statute, Vanuatu has joined the international community’s efforts to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.
For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or +31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: [email protected]. You can also follow the Court’s activities on YouTube and Twitter.