Government type:
Constitutional government in free association with the United States
Status
- Rome Statute: Not signed or acceded
- APIC: not signed or acceded
- Amendments to the RS: none
- BNSA: (signing date of the agreement was 3 September 2002)
Background:
During the ICC Pacific Outreach roundtable (2012), Ms. Ernestine Rengiil, Attorney General, indicated that while accession to the Rome Statute was not at the top of the administration's agenda, it was hoped that it would become a priority and she hoped that Roundtable participants will be able to provide assistance if she needs help in this regard. She said that in an election year it was realistic to think that she might be able to open some doors but nothing further could be promised at this stage.
During the 24th UPR process (January 2016), Palau noted recommendations to accede to the Rome Statute and to APIC.
Since January 2017, there is a new Administration in Palau. Although the incumbent president narrowly won re-election over his principal challenger, also his brother-in-law, a new parliamentary composition may offer renewed opportunity to engage on the ICC.
Potential obstacles towards full implementation of the Rome Statute and ratification of the Kampala Amendments
As with Micronesia, the strong relationship with the US may present an impediment to further progress.
PGA Activities
In 2004, Hon. William Ngiraikelau participated in the third session of PGA's Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the ICC and the Rule of Law held in Wellington.
In November 2016, PGA delivered a complete technical assistance package on accession to the Rome Statute, along with a draft Cabinet Memorandum, to the Permanent Representative of Palau to the UN, who promised to renew its quest to the central Government to accede to the RS. Palau is a staunch military ally of the US, and PGA will try to ensure that there is a correct perception of the ICC Dossier by relevant authorities in 2017. The Ambassador informed PGA that there was going to be a change of Government and that he would have pursued the project of RS accession with the new Administration, which however appears to focusing on climate change as main priority.
