MEDIA RELEASE
06 August 2007
For immediate release
PNG ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT SEMINAR
Papua New Guinea will be represented at a high-level seminar on the International Criminal Court (ICC) being held in Australia today.
The seminar, which is being organised by the Australian Government, coincides with a visit to Australia by the ICC Prosecutor, Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo.
The visit, from 5 to 11 August, is being hosted by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and is a demonstration of Australia’s strong support for the ICC.
Attendees at the seminar include ministers and senior officials from a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, diplomatic representatives, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions.
Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, and Attorney General, Mr Philip Ruddock, said they hoped the seminar would encourage strengthened regional engagement with the ICC.
PNG’s Acting Attorney-General, Ms Hitelai Polume-Kiele, welcomed Australia's support for Papua New Guinea's attendance at the seminar – PNG is being represented by Mr David Manoka, Acting Deputy Secretary (Legal) in the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
Ms Polume-Kiele said: “PNG and Australia are close partners and friends. We have a shared commitment to democracy and the rule of law. I am particularly pleased that one of my officers will be attending this important seminar.”
The ICC is the first permanent international judicial body with jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Its effectiveness depends on the support of member states.
The Office of the Prosecutor is investigating crimes in four situations: the Democratic Republic of Congo, northern Uganda, Darfur (Sudan) and the Central African Republic.
By working to ensure that the most egregious crimes do not go unpunished, the ICC shows that lasting international peace and security cannot be achieved without strengthening the rule of law.
Notes to editor
Australia became a party to the Rome Statute of the ICC on 1 September 2002. Since then it has contributed over $17m towards the operation of the ICC.
During his time in Australia the Prosecutor is visiting Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne and meeting with the Foreign Minister and the Attorney-General.
The Prosecutor will deliver public lectures at the Australian National University and the University of Sydney. He will also undertake teaching engagements at the Australian National University, the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne.
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