Universal Ratification Campaign ICC - Indonesia

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court and its members are calling on Indonesia to take all necessary steps to accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC. In 2004 the Indonesian government issued a National Human Rights Action Plan which included as one of its chief objective accession to the Statute by 2008. Since then various actors have been working earnestly to ensure that this deadline is firmly met.

Asia remains as an underrepresented region at the ICC, with only Afghanistan, Mongolia, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Tajikistan, Republic of Korea, and Japan as States Parties to the Treaty. Having Indonesia join this new system of international justice, will grant the region a stronger voice and a more meaningful participation in making this historic institution- the first permanent, independent court capable of investigating and bringing to justice individuals who commit war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide- a truly effective mechanism for the protection of human rights and the rule of law.

Take Action Now!

Write a letter to the President to encourage him to stay on track and accede to the Statute by 2008!!

You might like to use the following letter as a guide.

Please be sure to “cc” all contacts below when sending your letters.

Send your letter to:

H.E. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

President of the Republic of Indonesia

T +62 21 3458592 F +62 21 3452555

H.E. Mr. Andi Mattalata

Minister of Law and Human Rights

F +62 21 5253095

H.E. Mr. Noer Hassan Wirajuda

Minister of Foreign Affairs

F +62 21 3855481

H.E. Mr. H.R. Agung Laksono

Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia

F +62 21 5715637

Your Excellency:

It is my great honor to write to you and encourage you to firmly meet the commitment made by your government to accede to the Rome Statute of the ICC by 2008.

Since May of 2004, when President Megawati issued a presidential decree establishing a National Human Rights Action Plan (RANHAM) for 2004 through 2008 which included as one of its chief objectives accession to the Statute by 2008, local human rights groups, international organizations and parliamentarians have been consistently conducting awareness raising campaigns and advocacy work to ensure that this looming deadline will be met.

Recently, as part of a visit conducted in April by ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo to Jakarta, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranged an Experts Group Meeting on the implications of ICC ratification. Although I recognize the importance of these types of activities and efforts, I also understand that there are currently critical questions that need to be addressed, including whether it will be the Parliament or one of the government ministries who will draft the ratification bill itself. In order to ensure that Indonesia stays on track for ICC accession in 2008, there is an urgent need to make a determination on this matter so that there is sufficient time to coordinate the involvement of the various actors in the process.

I strongly believe that your country plays an important role in the region and share the view that this new system of international justice is a vital tool that will ensure that the most serious violations of human rights will no longer go unpunished. With Indonesia joining Afghanistan, Mongolia, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Tajikistan, Republic of Korea and Japan as States Parties to the Court, the region will have a stronger voice and a more meaningful participation in making the International Criminal Court a truly effective international mechanism for justice and peace.