INSEC, Coordinator of the National Coalition for the ICC in Nepal, Published a special issue on the ICC in its quarterly magazine INFORMAL in June (Vol. 18, No. 1, June 2005). The journal contains different articles on the human rights situation and the relevance of the ICC in Nepal. It also discusses the long term ICC campaign, the mechanisms of the ICC and its jurisdiction, ICC and internal armed conflict, ICC and International Humanitarian law.
Interaction Programme
On 1 July 2004, an interaction programme was organized among different groups of society. In the programme legal experts, intellectuals, human rights activist and law students expressed their views on the importance of the ratification of Rome Statute. Legal luminaries and human rights activists strongly condemned the Royal Nepalese Army's (RNA) refusal to furnish the details to the Supreme Court despite the orders.
Workshop
On 17 July 2003, a workshop was conducted to initiate the campaign in support of ICC on the occassion of the anniversary of the Rome Statute.
Interaction Programme
INSEC organized an interaction programme on the fifth anniversary of the Rome Statute and the anniversary of ICC establishment on 1 July 2003. Interaction programme was organized on the theme of "International Criminal Court and Human Rights a Nepalese Perspective". A strong voice has been raised to pressurize the government for the ratification of ICC. Activities performed by INSEC and the Coalition of International Criminal Court were highlighted during the programme.
Study Session
Importance and development of ICC was discussed at the Study Session of INSEC on 7 January 2003. At a different session of the Study Session resource persons clarified the importance of ICC in the Nepalese Context.
Press Releases
INSEC released a press statement condemning the Bilateral Immunity Agreement (BIA) between Nepal government and the Bush administration under the Article 98 of the Rome Statute on 1 January 2003.
On 3 July 2002, INSEC released a press statement welcoming the establishment of ICC and urged the government to accede to the Rome Statute.
Application to NHRC
On 6 June 2002 INSEC, Coordinator of the National Coalition for the ICC filed an application to the National Human Rights Commission requesting it to facilitate the government to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC.
International Lobby Team to Nepal
INSEC as a Coordinator of the National Coalition for the ICC (NCICC) took part in the movement/ campaign on building ICC from the very beginning. It raised the voice of Nepal as well as of South Asia in the preparatory commission held by UN in different dates. It also invited the coalition members of CICC to Nepal to create an environment for the support of ICC on 12-15 May 2002.
On this event, the lobby team visited the Prime Minister's Office to the media people. In every meeting with the various stakeholders, the team discussed on the relevance and importance of ICC in Nepalese context. The CICC delegates met with government officials and received positive response for the ratification. The delegates of the lobby team were the members of CICC. Ms. Niza Concepcion, Ms. Joanee Lee, Dr. Ahmad Ziauddin and Mr. David Mattas were in the team. The team visited the office of the Prime Minister, major political parties, NHRC, lawyers, human rights defenders, media professionals, and civil society members.
National Consultation on ICC
A National Consultation on the ICC held in Kathmandu in November 2001. The consultation had resolved to form a national coalition of civil society groups, legal experts and other individuals, which decided to hold education and promotional campaigns to make the people aware about the ICC.
General agreement made during the consultation:
ICC and the Rome Statute should be supported regardless of whether or not USA or Japan or any other countries support ICC. It s good to try to muster their support in favour of ICC, but need not doubt the value and importance of it just because a few powerful countries do not like it. It is needed for the weak, for us, not for powerful nations. The opportunity to act, as it is available now, should not be allowed to pass. The Rome Statute should be ratified immediately so that we (Nepal) can participate in discussions relating to the estabishment of the court including the appointment of judges and officials.
The consultation made the following decisions:
Form a National Coalition of civil society groups, legal experts and other individuals. The purpose of the coalition is to act on different platforms for ensuring the following:
Ratification of the Rome Statute by the Government of Nepal;
Dissemination of information on the court to all different sectors within Nepal;
Harmonization of domestic laws with the provisions of ICC Statute;
Successful prosecution of the crime of Aggression, War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and the crime of Genocide both nationally and internationally.
Booklet on the International Criminal Court
INSEC published a booklet on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 26 October 2001. As there was a need of information on the ICC, INSEC translated a bookle into Nepali language which was published by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) titled ‘Primer on the International Criminal Court-ICC’. This introductory booklet on the ICC contributed human rights defenders, lawyers, media professionals and political activists with basic information on the global body, its importance and procedures.
