United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasized the critical need for education to dispel misconceptions surrounding the Rome Statute and to encourage countries, including Malaysia, to consider ratification. Türk highlighted that the Rome Statute serves as a mechanism to address the most egregious crimes when nations are unable to handle them domestically.
During a press conference, Türk stressed the importance of educating people on the actual implications of the Rome Statute, clarifying that it primarily focuses on investigating atrocious crimes in cases where countries lack the capacity to address them independently. He emphasized that there exists a clear hierarchy in investigations under the statute.
When questioned about how the UN could support Malaysia if it were to reconsider its stance on ratifying the Rome Statute, Türk expressed willingness to provide assistance. Additionally, he offered support for Malaysia's ratification of six other core international human rights treaties, demonstrating the UN's commitment to promoting human rights and international justice.
Malaysia currently stands outside the Rome Statute, an international treaty established in 1998 with 123 signatory countries. This treaty grants the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to prosecute crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression.
Notably, Malaysia withdrew from the Rome Statute four years ago under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Mahathir cited internal confusion and politicization of the issue within the country as reasons for the withdrawal. He asserted that the controversy surrounding the Rome Statute had been exploited to tarnish the reputation of the Pakatan Harapan government.
In summary, Türk's call for education underscores the importance of understanding the Rome Statute's role in addressing grave international crimes. By dispelling misconceptions and offering support, the UN aims to encourage Malaysia and other nations to reconsider their positions on ratification, thereby enhancing global efforts towards justice and human rights protection.
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