Topic: Strengthening the International Criminal Court
Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: Duyen Nguyen
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Colombia position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
5 August 2002, the Republic of Colombia ratified the *Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court* and has joined the efforts of a plethora of nations in the attempt to castigate the offenders of crimes against humanity. However, throughout the country of Colombia minority voices have declared that the ICC is only a criminal court and our Republic should not partake in this ICC because of the nonsupport from the United States, as well as the contradiction it appears to have in accordance to the Colombian Constitution.
Taking into account of the views from the Colombian people, the Republic of Colombia have heavily considered the allegations against the ICC and have decided that the benefits are more advantageous. The reason being is due to the fact that in the 1980’s and 1990’s more than 1,000 members of a Colombian political party were assassinated , making this a form of political genocide, and under Article 6 of the Rome Statute it is a crime against humanity. Any crimes committed after the date of 5 August 2002 can be prosecuted by the Courts.
However, powerful countries such as United States, China, and the Russian Federation have yet to endorse the ICC Statute. Reasons being are possibly the same reasons as to why India has yet to ratify the ICC Statute. The belief that the ICC will be the highest jurisdiction and be above all other courts set in the states and nations.
The Republic of Colombia truly believes that this Security Council committee should work to make the Rome Statute the guidelines the ICC has; in addition, the people of Colombia strongly feel that the ICC can only be strengthened if it is made as an entity working with the government not against it. In Article 15, clause one it states that investigations can be made proprio motu. The Republic of Colombia strongly believes that the ICC should not only make investigations on the Courts jurisdiction, but also with the jurisdiction within the Courts and with the government of the country. Colombia would also look favorably upon the use of NGOs, such as Amnesty International, to be a mediator between the ICC and nations about human rights conflicts and violations.
The true principle of the ICC insinuates that nations cannot achieve peace, without first achieving justice. The Republic of Colombia calls upon the cooperation of this committee to discuss the crimes against humanity as stated throughout Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in articles such as Articles 6, 7, and 8. The country of Colombia hopes for a consensus to be reached though the discourse of these committee sessions.
###### 1 Castaneda, Sebastian. Colombia Reports. Colombia News, Sports, Culture, and Travel. *Colombia should Welcome the International Criminal Court* 03 November 2009. Web. 19 November 2011.
