In 1989, A.N.R. Robinson presented the UN General Assembly Resolution that triggered the process to establish the International Criminal Court (ICC)

New York/The Hague, April 10th 2014: It is with profound regret that Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) notes the passing yesterday of the Honorable Mr. Arthur N.R. Robinson, former President and Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, and esteemed former member of PGA. As a PGA Board member in the late 1980s, Hon. Robinson created PGA’s International Law and Human Rights Program and its Campaign for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 1989.

PGA’s 1,100 member Legislators in 139 countries around the world celebrate the enormous contribution of Hon. Robinson to the fight against impunity and for international justice and convey their deepest sympathies to Mr. Robinson’s family and many friends around the world.

It was in 1989 when A.N.R. Robinson presented the first UNGA Resolution that triggered the Rome Statute process. A quarter of a century later, a fully-functioning International Criminal Court making a decisive contribution to the Rule of Law worldwide is an extraordinary legacy for this visionary Statesman from Trinidad and Tobago. The world and PGA are forever indebted to Mr. Robinson for his political courage and tenacity in pushing forward an idea whose time had come and for refusing to be deterred by the crescendo of skepticism and criticism that accompanied his pioneering efforts. While our hearts are heavy, they are also full with appreciation and gratitude for the life of A.N.R Robinson and his enormous contribution to the betterment of the lives of countless people across the globe. PGA President and Assistant Speaker of New Zealand Mr. H.V. Ross Robertson

Through his unflagging commitment to international justice and human rights, he inspired the CARICOM region to take the lead in the fight for the International Criminal Court and inspired my own country, Suriname, to ratify the Rome Statute in 2008.  PGA is deeply indebted to this extraordinary leader whose vision to establish a permanent International Criminal Court became a political priority in the agenda of our global network. PGA Board Member and Deputy Speaker of The National Assembly of Suriname Dr. Ruth Wijdenbosch remembered Hon. Robinson as a true icon of the Caribbean

Mr. Robinson inspired all of us with his commitment and determination and we promise to continue the cause for human rights and justice that he brought to PGA.  Mr. A.N.R. Robinson will always be remembered among PGA Members around the world as the founding father of our campaign for the adoption, the universal ratification and the effective implementation of the Rome Statute of the ICC, which is an essential building block for the realization of the PGA vision, namely “to contribute to the creation of a Rules-Based International Order for a more equitable, safe and democratic world”. A.N.R. Robinson, we as PGA Members promise to keep working to achieve your vision and our common goal!” Diputado Felipe Michelini, Uruguay, Convenor of PGA’s International Law and Human Rights Program