On a swing through Northeast Asia over the weekend, Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, the first female head of the International Criminal Court, lauded Japan's commitment to the relatively young institution but voiced concerns about underrepresentation in Asia.
While the ICC boasts 124 countries and regions as members, including Japan — its top financial contributor — the court, which brings to justice individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, has faced an ongoing challenge in Asia.
In most regions, more than 60 percent of nations are party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. Asia, however, has fallen far short of this average.
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