Marking the 10th anniversary of the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week, the British Foreign Secretary William Hague stressed the importance of justice and accountability as fundamental to lasting peace, and eventually unavoidable.
In a speech delivered at The Hague on Monday, William Hague said,
See here for full speech, excerpts reproduced below:
In a speech delivered at The Hague on Monday, William Hague said,
"If you commit war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide you will not be able to rest easily in your bed: the reach of international justice is long and patient, and once set in train, it is inexorable.”
See here for full speech, excerpts reproduced below:
“We have learnt from history that you cannot have lasting peace without justice, accountability and reconciliation”.
“The Arab Spring has shattered the idea that nations can maintain long-term stability and prosperity without human rights, political participation and economic freedom for their citizens”.
“Our coalition Government is firmly of the view that leaders who are responsible for atrocities should be held to account, whether nationally or internationally. Institutions of international justice are not foreign policy tools to be switched on and off at will.”
There should be no hiding place or sanctuary for people indicted for crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide. And states that are not party to the Rome Statute should consider the message they send to the outside world when they harbour or welcome indictees under the guise of regional solidarity”
“There has been a global revolution in accountability. It is an unfinished revolution, but it is unprecedented in history.
“The presumption that leaders of nations are immune from prosecution has been eroded.”
“The idea of sovereignty as a barricade against international justice has been all but eradicated.”
“And the referrals of leaders in Libya and Sudan shows that not signing up to the Rome Statute cannot be relied upon as a way of avoiding being held to account.”
“The lesson of the last two decades is that if you commit war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide you will not be able to rest easily in your bed: the reach of international justice is long and patient, and once set in train, it is inexorable.”
