NEWS RELEASES

July 7, 2000 ( 10:30 a.m. EDT) No. 176

CANADA RATIFIES INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT STATUTE AND OPTIONAL PROTOCOL ON CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada has ratified both the International Criminal Court (ICC) Statute and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts. He deposited Canada's instruments of ratification today at the United Nations in New York.

"Canada has been a driving force behind the creation of the International Criminal Court and the negotiation of the Optional Protocol," said Minister Axworthy. "These two agreements will play an important role in advancing human security by ensuring that those who have committed crimes against humanity do not escape justice, and by protecting children, the most vulnerable victims of armed conflict."

Canada was the first country to introduce comprehensive implementation legislation incorporating the provisions of the ICC Statute into domestic law. This legislation, the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, received royal assent on June 29, 2000.

The ICC will have jurisdiction over the most serious crimes known to humankind: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. To date, the ICC Statute has been signed by 97 states and ratified by 14. It will enter into force once it has been ratified by 60 states.

The Optional Protocol on Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts sets new standards on the involvement of children in armed conflicts. It requires states to take concrete measures to ensure that members of their national armed forces who are under the age of 18 do not take direct part in hostilities. It also addresses issues of recruitment, compliance, implementation and international co-operation and assistance.

To ensure compliance with the Optional Protocol Canada has amended its National Defence Act (NDA) to entrench into law the Canadian Forces' existing policy precluding persons under the age of 18 from deployment into areas where hostilities are taking place. This amendment came into effect on June 29, 2000. Canada was the first state to sign the Optional Protocol and is now the first ratifying state.

In keeping with the human security agenda's focus on children, Canada will host the International Conference on War-Affected Children in Winnipeg in September 2000. Participants at the conference will formulate an international plan of action to address the growing problem of children affected by armed conflict. UN agencies, governments, civil society and youth from all regions of the world will be invited to attend. The gathering builds on the West African Conference on War-Affected Children, hosted by Canada and Ghana, which took place last April in Accra.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874