Kurdish NGOs demand joining International Criminal Court

SULAIMANIYA / IraqiNews.com: Kurdish NGOs and parties called on the Iraqi government to join the International Criminal Court, a statement said today. In a statement issued by Kurdo Side (Jack), as received by IraqiNews.com, it noted that 65 parliamentarians and 41 parties signed the request. The Kurdo Side is trying for the last ten years to present individuals who committed crimes against the Kurds to the International Criminal Court. The Court was established in 2002 as the first court capable of judging crimes of genocide. It is a separate entity from the United Nations with regards to personnel and budget, with special legal accord between the two organizations. Four investigations were opened in Northern Uganda, Democratic Congo, the Central African Republic, and Darfour. RM (TS)/SR 145