No super power controls the ICC

FORMER President Arthur NR Robinson said yesterday that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is independent and under the control of no super power.

“The International Criminal Court is not under the control, power, influence, or authority of anyone except itself. It is not under the control of the United Nations. There was a lot of discussion that the United Nations Security Council should be in charge of the International Criminal Court. “Some felt that the United Nations, represented by the Security Council, should have a greater say in the court. The majority view, after a great deal of discussion, felt that the court should be completely independent and that it should have its own budget, that it should be looked after by a number of countries, state parties who have signed and ratified the statute.

Those are the countries who should have control, no particular power.” Robinson was one of the speakers at World Human Rights Day conference at the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain yesterday. The conference dealt with the ICC. Robinson, who was instrumental in placing the issue of the ICC before the UN General Assembly in 1989, said the court should be representative of the various legal systems in the world. He pointed out that the 18 judges represent the different continents of the world. Robinson said a small country like Trinidad and Tobago was able to get Karl Hudson-Phillips QC elected as one of the 18 judges. “When the judges sit, they sit as judges on the issue, in the context and in relation to the statute which preserves its independence.”

Robinson, who attended the swearing in of the judges in The Hague last March, said the ICC will ensure that victims of crimes will receive compensation when decisions are made. He pointed out that there is also protection for women and children, which shows the evolution of human rights throughout the world. Before departing, Robinson made one prediction. He said civilisation was moving in the direction of the resurgence of humanity. “Power will give way to the elevation of humanity and human values. That is the only direction in which survival can take place,” the former Head of State added.

Chief Justice Sat Sharma, who opened the conference, pointed out that Robinson worked tirelessly both on the national and international level for the establishment of the ICC. He reminded the audience that it was Robinson, prior to the establishment of the court, who described the ICC as “a giant leap towards the triumph of human dignity over injustice and impunity.” Sharma also paid tribute to Hudson-Phillips on his appointment, describing him as one of the region’s leading jurists. The Chief Justice continued, “Today’s proceedings must serve as a reminder to us all of the evil of tyranny, despotism and dictatorship which is now all pervasive, and the need for us to continue in our resolve to bring to justice all those who are responsible for atrocities and terrorism, which is a threat to us all.”