Arab Countries Study Joining Rome Statute, Minister of Justice Says

Doha , May 24 (QNA) - HE Minister of Justice Hasan Bin Abdullah Al-Ghanem said on Tuesday that many Arab countries are studying joining the Rome Statute, including the State of Qatar.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of the First Regional Conference on the International Criminal Court (ICC), HE the minister added that joining the statute is always on the agenda of Arab meetings of the Ministers of Justice's level or other levels.
He viewed that the conference, held in Doha, will push Arab nations towards more coordination regarding that issue. It will also lead to more discussions with officials in the ICC, the minister believed.
The Minister added that the Arab states were very active in the process of forming the ICC, adding that there is continuous coordination with the court on different subjects.
The Minister added that the ICC has become the laws arm in defense against anyone all over the world who would commit genocide or crimes against humanity or of war.
The conference is held for the first time on Arab land, something that the minister believes shows Qatar's keenness on applying international law and achieving justice.
There are 13 Arab states that signed the Rome Statute, but only three countries ratified it. Those countries are Jordan, Djibouti and Comoros.