A Jewel in the Crown of TT

DUTCH Ambassador Maarten Van der Gaag has described former president Arthur NR Robinson as a “jewel in the crown of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Van der Gaag said the Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has great respect for Robinson, who as prime minister was instrumental for the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). “Mr Robinson is seen as a very valuable personality. I have had several opportunities to talk with him. To me, he has grown. He is a jewel in the crown of your country,” the Dutch Ambassador added. Van der Gaag is hosting a one-day conference on the ICC tomorrow at the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain, to mark International Human Rights Day. The conference will be opened by Chief Justice Sat Sharma, with other speakers being Robinson and ICC Judge, TT’s Karl Hudson-Phillips QC.

Van der Gaag said there was always discussion that a court should be established to deal with international crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. “So, it was nice to see Mr Robinson coming forward in 1989 with a new resolution. He wanted the General Assembly of the United Nations to consider setting up a new court of justice. This became more acceptable, especially after the falling down of the Berlin Wall and other international matters.” The Dutch Ambassador said the United States established a preparatory committee to look at the establishment of the ICC. In 1998, the Statute of Rome was signed. The ICC needed ratification from 60 countries to become a reality. Van der Gaag said 120 countries signed the treaty with 21 abstentions. He said there were seven countries who voted against the court, including the United States, Libya, Iraq and China.

In 2002, the ICC got the vote with 92 countries ratifying the statute. Although the United States was not one of the countries in favour of the ICC, Van der Gaag said he has invited US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Roy Austin to tomorrow’s conference. “We did not want to have this ICC Day without having those countries who are in favour of it, or those who are against it. We did not want to have an anti-American flavour. We wanted the Americans to come forward with their ideas on it. “The Americans apparently have their own ideas on the issue regarding inflicting punishment throughout the world. We welcome them to join us. They have a very responsible role in the world at the moment. It would be rude not to invite them. I think it was a very courageous act for the American Ambassador to join us,” the Dutch envoy added.

Asked if he feels the United States will one day join the ICC, Van der Gaag responded, “I think in the long run, although I am not a fella to look in the glass bowl, I think all countries will be members, not really the ICC, but some organ where justice is spoken.” Van der Gaag said with the judges and a prosecutor appointed to the ICC, the international body was ready to begin the prosecution of criminals. This, he added, would begin in 2004. He said architects will be brought in in 2005 to begin the task of erecting the ICC headquarters in The Hague, Holland.