Iran's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gholam Hossein Dehqani has called for punitive measures against aggressors for the establishment of peace and security across the world.
“Iran believes that the prosecution and punishment of aggressors and perpetrators of horrific international crimes will promote international peace and security and bring peace and tranquility to world nations,” Dehqani said in an address to the UN General Assembly thematic debate on the Role of International Criminal Justice in Reconciliation in New York on Thursday.
He described the crime of aggression as the “mother of all international crimes” and added that the manner in which the International Criminal Court tackles the issue can broadly affect the campaign against impunity.
The Iranian official emphasized that the prosecution of perpetrators of international crimes should remain neutral, independent and apolitical and should also avoid double standards.
Through internal justice systems, rule of law can better prevail in society and crimes can be deterred, investigated, prosecuted and punished with a view to strengthen peace and order, Dehqani pointed out.
He said the first Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was a “great opportunity” to develop an efficient legal system to deal with perpetrators of international crimes, but the opportunity was lost following the reluctance of certain members of the Security Council.
“The review conference did manage to define the crime of aggression which was a step forward and a move that will serve as a reminder to states which employ force and threats of force against others that their deeds will not be left without strict responsibility,” Dehqani stated.
He lashed out at international bodies for remaining silent about the atrocities committed by toppled and executed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during Iraq’s war on Iran in the 1980s.
He warned that such a stance would likely send a “bad message” to those who had “vicious plans” to launch an aggressive attack in the Middle East region.
The Iranian envoy said that a “prompt and proper” response by the international community could have stopped the aggression.
