President pushes for ICC

Delivering the keynote address at a gala dinner hosted in honour of heads of Diplomatic Missions to this country at the University Inn and Conference Centre, St Augustine, Carmona said he acknowledged the concerns of some world leaders about the ICC but regarded it as powerful intervention in discharging equity and justice for all. The President noted that while leaders have highlighted what they consider to be the Court’s shortcomings, few had taken the time to offer solutions.

“As a former International Criminal Court Judge, I have concerns about sentiments of withdrawal, expressed by some of our world leaders,” he told guests, who included Foreign Affairs Minister Dennis Moses.

“We need to work at creating solutions rather than stating problems. This International Criminal Justice System in the form of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a burgeoning one and as in every national system when envisaged problems arise with national institutions we do not resile to a dismantling of that institution.

We find solutions.” To this end, Carmona said he looked forward to “critical, mediative collaboration” with regard to the issues arising out of the mandate of the ICC, established in 2002, “to ensure that justice is meted out to all without exception who commit genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression.” During his address, Carmona also lauded the contribution of several international diplomats in advancing pressing humanitarian challenges and global developmental initiatives.

Closer at home, Carmona praised the input of the diplomats in promoting youth empowerment in this country through the Office of the President.

“I am convinced that this initiative taking place at the Office of the President can change the world,” he said.