News Release
May 20, 2004

Canada Should Oppose U.S. Efforts Seeking Immunity from International Criminal Court

Ottawa – The World Federalist Movement – Canada (WFMC) today called on the government to oppose U.S. efforts at the United Nations Security Council aimed at obtaining immunity for peacekeepers from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Canada has been a leader in the creation of the ICC,” said Hon. Warren Allmand, who was elected WFMC National President less than two weeks ago. “No government should be given immunity or preferential treatment for its nationals by the Court.”

As part of its ongoing campaign for immunity from the ICC, the United States government yesterday tabled for renewal UN Security Council Resolutions 1422/1487, which seek to exempt U.S. officials involved in UN peacekeeping or authorized missions from the ICC’s jurisdiction. An open meeting of the Security Council and a vote on this Resolution are expected tomorrow afternoon, Friday, May 21, 2004. Numerous countries are expected to make statements at tomorrow’s open meeting of the Security Council. Three governments abstained at the time of last year’s vote.

“Canada led in calling for an open meeting of the Council in 2002,” said Allmand. “We should be as forceful this year in recording our view that the actions sought by the U.S. are contrary to international law.”

The ICC currently has 94 States Parties, following recent ratifications by Burkina Faso and Congo-Brazzaville. The Court recently received two referrals from ICC States Parties – Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo – requesting that the Prosecutor investigate alleged human rights abuses.

For more information, contact:
CANADA: Warren Allmand (WFMC President) 514-486-1811
Fergus Watt (WFMC Executive Director) 613-232-0647
NEW YORK: Coalition for the ICC (www.iccnow.org)
Adele Waugaman or Sally Eberhardt, media liaison 212-687-2863, ext. 17