ICC: Robinson a pioneer of global justice
...his legacy remains in the realm of international criminal law
THE International Criminal Court (ICC), located at The Hague in the Netherlands, has issued a statement mourning the death of Arthur NR Robinson who played a key role in its establishment. The following is the statement -
The International Criminal Court (ICC) joins with the people of Trinidad and Tobago in mourning the passing of Arthur Robinson, former Prime Minister and later President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. He played a critical role in the establishment of the ICC.
“It is with great sorrow that I learnt of the passing of former President Robinson. He will be remembered by many as the ‘grandfather’ of the International Criminal Court”, said ICC President Sang-Hyun Song.
In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, Mr Robinson revived the idea of establishing a Court with jurisdiction over international crimes, triggering the process that eventually led to the adoption of the Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty. Over the years that followed, he supported the efforts of the international community and civil society to bring the Court into existence through the negotiation, adoption and entry into force of the Rome Statute.
In 2006, former President Robinson was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims, which offers reparations for victims of crimes before the ICC. In recent years, he was active in campaigning for continued support for the Court, particularly among Latin American and Caribbean States. As a long-lasting tribute to President Robinson, the ICC’s main Courtroom is named in his honour.
Though the world has lost a true pioneer of global justice, his legacy remains in the realm of international criminal law, as the International Criminal Court continues to strive for universal protection for all people against genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.