July 16, 1998 No. 172

AXWORTHY IN ROME FOR FINAL DAY OF

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT CONFERENCE

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will travel to Rome today to attend the final plenary session of the international negotiations to establish the framework for the International Criminal Court (ICC). Mr. Axworthy is visiting at the invitation of Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini.

"Canada has been working hard to win support for an independent and effective ICC that will bring to justice those accused of the most serious international offences such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity," said Minister Axworthy.

Leading up to the Conference, Canada chaired a group of like-minded states during preparatory committee meetings in New York. Canada's Phillipe Kirsch, Legal Advisor to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, was unanimously appointed by the participating countries to act as chair of the ICC negotiations in Rome.

Canada has made clear that it seeks an ICC with:

• acknowledged jurisdiction over such core crimes as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, including war crimes committed in internal armed conflicts;

• a constructive relationship with the UN Security Council that preserves the independence and impartiality of the Court;

• an independent Prosecutor who is able to initiate proceedings, rather than proceedings being triggered only by a state complaint or Security Council referral;

• a special focus on the plight of women and children in armed conflict -- for example, recognizing rape and the recruitment of child soldiers as war crimes.

At the plenary session on the final day of the conference, Mr. Axworthy expects to sign the summary document of the negotiations, called the Final Act of the Conference.

The diplomatic conference began on June 15 and is scheduled to conclude July 18.

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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

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca