News Release
November 7, 2002

Ottawa -- Canada will not sign a treaty to exempt U.S. soldiers from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Monday.

The U.S. has launched a worldwide campaign to persuade countries to enter into bilateral (country-to-country) treaties that would shield U.S. nationals from the court. A country signing such a treaty will not turn over to the ICC Americans being sought by the court.

"We don't have any intention of signing such an agreement," Graham said. He made the remark to reporters after a speech at a conference on the ICC organized by Parliamentarians for Global Action and attended by elected parliamentarians from 80 countries.

The ICC came into force in July and now is being set up in The Hague, Netherlands. It aims to bring the worst criminals to justice, those committing genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity. The court is being hailed as the biggest advance in international justice in half a century.

Canada and the United States already have a NATO Status of Forces Agreement dealing with the conduct of U.S. military personnel on Canadian soil. Graham said, “There is no need to have another specific bilateral agreement."

Organizations supporting the ICC applauded.

“This is the right thing for Canada to do,” said Fergus Watt, Executive Director of the World Federalists of Canada and Coordinator, Canadian NGO Network for the ICC. “Canada's action will help strengthen the resolve of other nations to stand up to U.S. pressure.”

“This country’s stand sends a strong signal to the three or four European states which are known to be contemplating a bilateral ICC immunity agreement with the U.S.,” said Watt. “The timing is important. Now both Canada and Germany have said the NATO Status of Forces Agreements are adequate and no further agreements with the U.S. are necessary.”

For more information:
Fergus Watt
Executive Director,
World Federalists of Canada
(613) 232-0647