Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

We received a document yesterday from Amnesty International. Their representatives are not happy with this concept and they stated that the Bill does not contain any provision concerning the basic obligation, contained in Article 86 of the Rome Statute, of national authorities to co-operate with the courts. Article 86 states that states shall, in accordance with the statute, co-operate fully with the court in its investigation and prosecution of crime within the jurisdiction of the court. The representatives of Amnesty International stated that the Bill does not incorporate fully Article 72 of the Rome Statute, which provides that if a state refuses to co-operate, then the ICC can make an order for disclosure or refer the matter to the assembly of states, or the Security Council in the case of Security Council referral, to decide what steps should be taken to ensure that the state fulfils its legal obligation. The request from Amnesty International is much broader than the amendment. However, the amendment goes some way towards meeting Amnesty's reservations.

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