On 4 August 2016, the Senate of Paraguay approved the draft implementing legislation sent by the Executive, on 7 January 2013.
This most welcome development is the result of last month’s Consultations on the implementation of the Rome Statute and Support for the International Criminal Court, hosted by the House of Representatives of Paraguay, in collaboration with Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA). The leadership of Dip. Clemente Barrios, Member of PGA and that of Dip. Bogado Tatter, Member of PGA, fostered a propitious momentum for the full implementation of the Rome Statute in Paraguay’s national legal order.
Indeed, as a direct and immediate result of the Consultations, Sen. Emilia Patricia Alfaro, Member of PGA presented a motion of preference to the plenary of the Senate on 7 July 2016, the same day of the consultations, for the urgent treatment of this draft bill. The motion was unanimously accepted and as scheduled, the draft bill was approved today by the Senate Plenary.
Statement by Dip. Juan Félix Bogado Tatter, Member of PGA:
Just last month, in the House of Deputies of Paraguay we hosted Consultations on the Implementation of the Rome Statute and Support to the Court, organized in collaboration with Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), organization of which I am a member.
I am pleased to see that the exchanges we have had during these debates resulted in the approval of the draft implementing legislation of the ICC today in the Senate, furthering even more the commitment of Paraguay to the fight against impunity and to the principle of “never more” for crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
It is an achievement that shall be complete with the approval of the draft implementing legislation in the House of Deputies, for a full and effective implementation of the said Statute in the national legal order of Paraguay.
We will continue working with other colleague parliamentarians and all relevant organizations, pursuant to the commitment of my country as well as my own personal commitment to justice for victims of the most serious crimes of international concern that shock human consciousness."
Statement by Dip. Clemente Barrios Monges, Member of PGA:
Today I congratulate the Senate for the adoption of the draft implementing legislation of the Rome Statute, renewing once again the commitment of Paraguay to strengthen the Rule of law by strengthening its own legal framework.
Parliamentarians play a key role in promoting justice and accountability for the perpetrators of international crimes. As Parliamentarians, we have a duty and responsibility to enact laws that support Paraguay's international commitments in the fight against impunity, to ensure that victims of heinous crimes find justice.
In my capacity as Chairman of the Commission for Justice, Labor and Social Welfare, I pledge to continue the work that has been done to achieve the full implementation of the Rome Statute in the national legal framework, thus enabling the consolidation of our democracy.
The fight against impunity is not only that of the International Criminal Court, but mainly that of all law-abiding nations, respectful of human dignity."
Statement of Sen. Emilia Alfaro de Franco, Member of PGA:
I wanted to emphasize why the Gender and Equality Commission has ruled for approval, taking into account that often women are the victims of these crimes under the Rome Statute, particularly cases of sexual violence and rape in armed conflict; and many of these acts have gone unpunished.
It is important that our country adopt legislation implementing the Rome Statute, because we have already been asked to do so internationally. If a country does not have in its criminal law, dispositions on international crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC and these crimes were to happen on its territory, the State would not have the ability to investigate, prosecute and punish them. We would thus be allowing impunity."
Statement of Sen. Carlos Filizzola, President of the Gender and Equality Commission:
The Republic of Paraguay has the duty to prosecute the acts punishable under the Rome Statute. This instrument together with the present legislation will apply to these acts for which the ICC exercises its jurisdiction; and it does not collide with constitutional provisions or national laws.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court represents the consolidation of a new system of international criminal justice that acts as a complement to the work of administering justice by national courts.
It is a special law on particular characteristics because it implements an international treaty that is already part of the national positive law since 2001 and to which our Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure have to adapt to, today in full review in this Chamber."
