Cyprus Ratifies Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

March 7, 2002

Cyprus has become the 55th country to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The Statute is now five ratifications short of the 60 needed for its entry into force.

The instrument of ratification was deposited with the Treaty Section of the UN Secretariat in New York by Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN, Ambassador Sotos Zackheos.

In remarks, Zackheos said that the ratification was in line with Cyprus' long-held policy of support for the establishment of an effective permanent International Court which would strengthen international law. It is imperative to ensure that the international system is based on respect for humanitarian values, a prerequisite for the prevalence of universal justice, peace and legality, he said.

He expressed the hope that the establishment of the international criminal court would bring an end to a culture of impunity that has encouraged the perpetration of heinous crimes throughout human history. Mr. Zackheos reiterated the Cyprus government's appreciation to all those who have labored with vision and determination" to make the International Criminal Court a reality.

The Director of the Treaty Section, Palitha Kohona, congratulated on behalf of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan "the state of Cyprus for having ratified the ICC Statute and expressed the hope that this would contribute to making the world better.

Mr. Kohona noted that Cyprus will be the 55th ratifier and with a further five ratifications, the Statute will enter into force

The Statute of Rome was adopted on 17 July, 1998 by the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court. It has 139 signatories and 55 parties.

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