Namibia appreciates work of International Criminal Court

A DECADE after it was established, the International Criminal Court (ICC) must contend with reluctance among donor countries to give more funds despite a growing demand for its services.

Namibia, despite its economic status, is one country that has been honouring its membership dues to the ICC.The ICC is struggling to execute its mandate because major powers are withholding funds.’This is not because member countries are not paying, but some of the superpowers are not members yet. If they were members they could also have contributed to the coffers of the ICC,’ Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana told The Namibian.She said despite the lack of funds, the Namibian government is satisfied with the performance of the ICC and as a member country want to see that the court fulfil its duties effectively.The Director of NamRights, Phil ya Nangoloh, said despite the fact that the ICC has to execute its duties under difficult circumstances the court has made tremendous progress over the last ten years.’It is a good beginning and I am optimistic that financial problems that the ICC is experiencing now would be something of the past soon.’In 2007 the National Society of Human Rights (NSHR), now NamRights, lodged a submission to the ICC accusing Founding President Sam Nujoma, former Defence Minister Erkki Nghimtina, former Chief of Defence Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala and NDF First Battalion Colonel Thomas Shuuya to be investigated for ‘instigation, planning, supervision, abetting, aiding, defending and or perpetuating’ the disappearances of hundreds of Namibians.Ya Nangoloh said the case is still valid.’I was informed at one of the ICC seminars in Europe that the court is still considering the submission.’Ya Nangoloh also rejected claims that ICC only concentrates on Africa, adding that it is only the African leaders that file cases with the court.’Now it happens that some of those who filed the cases are under investigation as they were the culprits and not those they have accused of atrocities.’This year, the ICC received 111 million euros ($138 million) from the Assembly of State Parties, the umbrella body representing the 121 countries that have ratified the court’s founding treaty and oversees the ICC.The United States is one of the major powers that have not ratified the court’s establishment and is not party to it.In the current financial year the court faces a shortfall of 11 million euro.The court has convicted a number if high-profile accused, including former Liberian strongman Charles Taylor, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison.Currently, the court is investigating cases in seven countries – all of them in Africa, while 20 arrest warrants, most notably that of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, have been issued.Additional reporting byNampa/AFP