Maldives to join International Criminal Court
by alejandro on 23 Aug 2010 | Comments
Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed has said that he hopes that the next cabinet meeting will discuss on joining the International Criminal Court (ICS).
Speaking to Miadhu, Dr. Shaheed said that after legal consultations with Attorney General (AG) it has been sent for approval to the cabinet ministers’ commission.
He also stated that once Maldives joins ICS all cases of violation of Human Rights will be referred to ICS.
Mentioning some of the gross violations of human rights that occurred in Maldives, he said include the killing of 17 prisoners in a gun shoot.
Dr. Shaheed also said that Maldivian prisons are known for its “tradition” of torturing prisoners.
According to constitution Maldives can join ICS only after the approval of the Peoples’ Majlis.
As of August 2010, 113 countries have joined the court, including nearly all of Europe and South America, and roughly half the countries in Africa. The Seychelles and Saint Lucia will become the 112th and 113th states parties on 1 November 2010; the Seychelles ratified the Statute on 10 August 2010, and on 18 August 2010, Saint Lucia delivered its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute to the UN Secretary General.
source: Miadhu News
Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed