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PGA’s vision is to contribute to the creation of a Rules-Based International Order for a more equitable, safe, sustainable and democratic world.

Palau and the Rome Statute

Government type:

Constitutional government in free association with the United States

Status

  • Rome Statute: Not signed or acceded
  • APIC: not signed or acceded
  • Amendments to the RS: none
  • BNSA: (signing date of the agreement was 3 September 2002)

Background:

During the ICC Pacific Outreach roundtable (2012), Ms. Ernestine Rengiil, Attorney General, indicated that while accession to the Rome Statute was not at the top of the administration's agenda, it was hoped that it would become a priority and she hoped that Roundtable participants will be able to provide assistance if she needs help in this regard. She said that in an election year it was realistic to think that she might be able to open some doors but nothing further could be promised at this stage.

During the 24th UPR process (January 2016), Palau noted recommendations to accede to the Rome Statute and to APIC.

Since January 2017, there is a new Administration in Palau. Although the incumbent president narrowly won re-election over his principal challenger, also his brother-in-law, a new parliamentary composition may offer renewed opportunity to engage on the ICC.

Potential obstacles towards full implementation of the Rome Statute and ratification of the Kampala Amendments

As with Micronesia, the strong relationship with the US may present an impediment to further progress.

PGA Activities

In 2004, Hon. William Ngiraikelau participated in the third session of PGA's Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the ICC and the Rule of Law held in Wellington.

In November 2016, PGA delivered a complete technical assistance package on accession to the Rome Statute, along with a draft Cabinet Memorandum, to the Permanent Representative of Palau to the UN, who promised to renew its quest to the central Government to accede to the RS. Palau is a staunch military ally of the US, and PGA will try to ensure that there is a correct perception of the ICC Dossier by relevant authorities in 2017. The Ambassador informed PGA that there was going to be a change of Government and that he would have pursued the project of RS accession with the new Administration, which however appears to focusing on climate change as main priority.

Press Coverage

Status of the Rome Statute System as of February 2024:

 
States that have ratified the Rome Statute [124]
 
States that have signed the Rome Statute but have not ratified it yet [30]
 
States that have withdrawn from the Rome Statute [2]
 
States that have neither signed nor ratified the Rome Statute
 

124 countries are States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Of these, 33 are African States, 19 are Asia-Pacific States, 19 are from Eastern Europe, 28 are from Latin American and Caribbean States, and 25 are from Western European and other States.

Work of PGA in this Country:

Publication

Parliamentary Kit on the International Criminal Court
Parliamentary Kit on the International Criminal Court

Parliamentary Kit on the International Criminal Court

It is imperative that the Rome Statute be ratified universally for the successful functioning of the Court. Parliamentarians should ensure that the ICC is truly universal.

Description

Created by the Rome Statute, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is the first permanent and independent international court capable of investigating and bringing to justice individuals who commit the most serious violations of international criminal law, international humanitarian law, and human rights.

The Rome Statute defines the crimes under the Court’s jurisdiction and provides the general principles and procedures for the operation of the Court. It also outlines the cooperation obligations of its State Parties. It is imperative that the Rome Statute be ratified universally for the successful functioning of the Court. Parliamentarians should ensure that the ICC is truly universal.

PDF(s)

Additional Details

  • Publication Type: Toolkit
  • Author(s): Parliamentarians for Global Action

Publication

Handbook for Parliamentarians: National Nomination of Judicial Candidates for the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Handbook for Parliamentarians: National Nomination of Judicial Candidates for the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Handbook for Parliamentarians: National Nomination of Judicial Candidates for the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Description

The ICC is the first and only permanent independent court with the mandate to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for committing international crimes, namely genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. Its 18 judges from around the world, elected for a nine-year term, play a key role in ensuring this expectation is lived up to through their primary mandate to render authoritative and high-quality jurisprudence and guarantee fair trials.

Therefore, the quality of the judges has fundamental importance to the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the ICC, which is at the heart of the long-term success of the ICC and the Rome Statute system as a whole. In this handbook, PGA sets forth specific criteria and recommendations for Parliamentarians to encourage their governments to improve national nomination procedures for ICC judicial candidates and adopt good practices and requirements to ensure these processes are fair, transparent, and merit-based. The goal of robust nomination procedures is to ensure that only candidate judges or jurists of the highest caliber make it on the ballot.

PDF(s)

Additional Details

  • Publication Type: Handbook
  • Author(s): Parliamentarians for Global Action

Publication

Handbook: Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Handbook: Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Handbook: Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Description

It is our honor and privilege to present to you the Third Edition of the Handbook on the Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression to the Rome Statute of the ICC.

It is the product of our collaborative effort aimed at assisting States in ratifying the amendments adopted by consensus in Kampala and helping criminalize the most serious forms of the illegal use of force.

PDF(s)

Additional Details

  • Publication Type: Handbook
  • Author(s): Permanent Mission of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United Nations; Global Institute for the Prevention of Aggression; Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University (LISD); (Drafting Assistance by PGA)