Mr. President, Distinguished Participants

I feel privileged to speak on behalf of an organization of Parliamentarians who believe in the global mission of politics and of politicians, a mission that sees beyond political expediency or the inevitable limitations of a single party domestic policy.

Parliamentarians for Global Action has made a priority of its program on International law and human rights to encourage state cooperation with the Ad Hoc Tribunals with a view to the establishment of a fair, effective and permanent International Criminal Court. I am pleased to be the convenor of the law program with a network of 1300 parliamentarians from 99 different national legislatures.

We are almost at the end of the general debate. The statements made so far have already outlined the approaches, the issues of convergence and of divergence among participating must though, be enough to demonstrate genuine international support for the ICC.

We stand today on the brink of history. Active support from elected lawmakers will be essential for the acceptance by governments and International legal Institutions of the permanent International Criminal Court.

It is Parliamentarians who must ensure both ratification by their parliaments and implementation by their governments. They are crucial players and could be a useful instrument for political persuasion and when necessary pressure.

PGA members will be on the forefront of the coming struggle for Ratification and Implementation. Last month in Port of Spain, at a conference held in cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago, Parliamentarians from the Latin American and Caribbean region agreed by consensus outlying principles for a permanent, impartial, independent and effective body associated with the United Nations to operate within the highest standards of international justice. The resolution contained the importance that the actions of the Court must not be stopped by the veto of the Security Council and supported an independent prosecutor, empowered to initiate investigations on his or her own initiative.

This resolution has been circulated to our network of parliamentarians and signatures of support have been pouring into the secretariat in New York from all regions of the world. On behalf of PGA, I would like to express our appreciation to the Government of Italy, the UN secretariat, especially Mr. Hans Corell, Under-Secretary General for legal affairs, and to the Coalition for the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court. I wish solid, substantial and not just propaganda success to the Conference. You have us at your side.