We’ll support ICC to fight crimes against humanity — Attorney-General

The Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has affirmed the government’s commitment to support the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the fight for crimes against humanity.

He said as a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, the country did not only support the ICC to achieve its mandate, but had also taken practical steps to incorporate the Rome Statute as part of the country’s laws.

Speaking during a meeting with the Prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, the A-G said his outfit had already presented before Parliament a bill that would enable the country to put on trial anyone who committed crimes recognised by the ICC, such as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“The bill will ensure that all the crimes under the Rome Statute become effectively part of the laws of Ghana.

“Already, genocide is a crime in the country, but we want to ensure that war crimes, crimes of aggression and crimes against humanity are recognised as part of the domestic laws of Ghana,” he said.

Visit

The ICC Prosecutor who is in the country on a three-day working visit at the invitation of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), will also deliver a public lecture at the institute and hold a special question and answer session with GIMPA Law students.

As part of his visit, Mr Khan early on paid a courtesy call on the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.

He is also expected to visit the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.

Present at Mr Khan’s meeting with the A-G was a Deputy A-G, Diana Asonaba Dapaah; the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, and a Chief State Attorney, Evelyn Keelson.

The move by the government to incorporate the Rome Statute as part of the laws of the country, Mr Dame said, would further reinforce the country’s credentials as a democratic nation that respects the human rights and dignity of persons, and boost its sovereignty.

He explained that the ICC was established not to oust the jurisdiction of countries but to complement national courts to help rid the world of heinous crimes.

“I consider it offensive to the sovereignty of a nation to have crimes of that nature tried outside its jurisdiction.

“So if indeed the country has an established legal framework within which such crimes can be tried in the domestic arena, it reinforces the ICC principle of complementarity, rather than being a court of primary jurisdiction,” the A-G added.
 

Democratic principles 

Mr Khan lauded the country for consistently adhering to democratic principles and the rule of law, making Ghana a beacon of democracy on the African continent
“Ghana is an example of stable democracy, the rule of law and progress that Ghanaians want for their country,” he said.

He further commended the government for putting in place a framework to domesticate the Rome Statute, adding that it was in full compliance with the law establishing the ICC and Ghana’s international obligation.

“The ICC is not a court of supervisory jurisdiction. Justice is best served at home, and only when a country has proved to be unwilling and unable should another court intervene.

“We have adopted a new approach in which the ICC presents itself as a hub and not an apex. We also want to assist national authorities with whatever information they need, including technical assistance and cooperation,” Mr Khan added.

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh