[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E477-E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2002

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for the International Criminal Court as it comes into existence 
at a United Nations ceremony in New York City. As my colleagues are 
aware, since coming to Congress I have been highly supportive of an 
I.C.C., and I strongly believe in its principal, that human rights 
abusers who commit crimes against humanity or genocide should be 
brought to justice.
  Several years ago, I visited the Hague, and was deeply moved by the 
intense law enforcement and criminal justice efforts there to bring 
abusers to justice. A permanent international criminal court which can 
bring future perpetrators of war crimes to full and complete justice is 
in our national interests.
  Support for the International Criminal Court is nearly universal 
among our allies, among those ratifying the Rome Treaty are our closest 
friends in the war against terrorism, such as the United Kingdom. The 
European Union has a common position supporting the court and the list 
of ratifying countries includes so many of our closest allies that many 
commentators have referred to the ICC as the Court of the Democracies.
  I feel strongly that if we are not to ratify the Rome Treaty at this 
time, at a minimum, adopt a policy of constructive engagement with the 
Court. We must be engaged to ensure that we use our Security Council 
referral power in a responsible manner to both deter war crimes, crimes 
against humanity and genocide to ensure that those who commit such 
crimes are brought to justice. As leaders of the free world, we must 
recognize that the only way to achieve a court that we can live with, 
is to stay engaged in the continuing negotiations over the scope, 
purpose, and construction of it.

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  Again, I commend the nations who have taken the leadership and effort 
to become members of the Court and look forward to its role in 
international justice.

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