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Commemorating the 14th Anniversary of the World day of International Justice

A personal, candid advice to the Government of Japan

July 17, 2012

Fourteen years ago on this day, on July 17 1998, the Rome Statute for the Establishment of International Criminal Court ("the Statue") was adopted by 139 states at the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court ("Rome Conference"). Commemorating the great contribution the adoption has done to the cause of international justice; the day was marked and remembered as "World Day for International Justice" or  "International Justice Day."

Ten years ago on July 1 2002, the Statute entered into force.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Statute.

Also five years ago on this day, the Government of Japan ("Government") deposited its instrument of ratifications to the United Nations, making it the 105th state to join as one of the State Parties to the Court. As stated in our national Constitution, the Government chose the "International Justice Day" to commemorate its action, desiring to "occupy an honored place in an international society."

However, I must note that the Government has NOT, even five years after its ratification on this day, criminalized the four core crimes into its national criminal code, or ratify and accede to the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Court or APIC that governs the cooperation regime between a state and the Court.

Commemorating its fifth anniversary for Japan's ratification of the Statute, these tasks could be regarded as important challenges that require immediate action.

Marking this important fifth anniversary, I urge the Government not to simply cling onto the "honorable place" in name but in substance as well, by proving it is honorable and accountable. To that effect, I urge the Government to expedite its move to criminalize the four core crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court (war crimes, crime against humanity, genocide, and crime of aggression) to prove its accountability to the international community.

Furthermore, to ensure thorough and effective cooperation with the Court, I urge the Government not to resort to the rules and regulations provided by the implementing legislation that limits the scope and depth of cooperation, but ratify and accede to the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities as soon as possible so as to provide a comprehensive system of international juridical cooperation to allow full access to the Court.

Takahiro Katsumi

Secretary General

Japanese Network for the International Criminal Court