Japan Accedes to the Rome Statute

Recently, on July 17, 2007, Japan acceded to the Rome Statute and will thus become the 105th member. For more information, click here [press release, in English].The Rome Statute constitutes the treaty that establishes the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Statute was adopted on July 17, 1998. The ICC is a permanent court with jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. For more information, click here [website of ICC] and visit previous posts.

Hopefully, this recent accession by Japan serves as a role model for other states that are currently reluctant to acknowledge the ICC's authority ... At least, it strengthens the international task force against human rights violations and further drives perpetrators into a corner.