THE HAGUE, Netherlands, April 11 (UPI) -- The International Criminal Court paid tribute Wednesday to one of its founders, Arthur Robinson, who died on April 9.
ICC President Sang-Hyun Song said, “It is with great sorrow that I learnt of the passing of former President Robinson. He will be remembered by many as the ‘grandfather’ of the International Criminal Court."
While prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Robinson delivered a speech in 1989 to the United Nations General Assembly, in which he renewed the call for the establishment of a court with jurisdiction over international crimes. His appeal led the UN to adopt the Rome Statute, which founded the ICC.
In 2006, Robinson was elected to the ICC's Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims.
"Though the world has lost a true pioneer of global justice," the ICC said of Robinson's passing, "his legacy remains in the realm of international criminal law, as the International Criminal Court continues to strive for universal protection for all people against genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity."
From 1997-2003, Robinson held the largely ceremonial title of president of Trinidad and Tobago.
[International Criminal Court]
