The atmosphere surrounding the Court today has nevertheless improved in the past three years. That's something we perceive: the Court is better understood and therefore better appreciated.
One of the obstacles we encountered is the one I referred to, problems in the field. One of the obstacles we might encounter is a prolonged slowdown in the number of ratifications. The Court is limited to the State or territory where the crime was committed or to the nationality of the accused, which leaves vast tracts of the world map not covered by the Court. For example, we haven't really made any major breakthroughs in Asia. However, it is interesting to see that the Asian countries that have ratified include Cambodia, East Timor and Afghanistan, three countries where mass crimes have been committed.
Similarly, we haven't had enough ratifications in the Middle East.
If Canada can continue making the Court known and show that it is a useful instrument for the international community, and not a threat, that's definitely a major step toward establishing the Court.
I'm repeating myself, but I'll say it all the same. It is absolutely essential that the Court receive the active support of the States, in a practical way. I'm thinking especially of arrests in the coming years. That's something essential and something that depends on what the governments are prepared to do.
Being the president of the Court for the past three years and for the next three years, I feel confident about the Court's future. However, there are some barriers that must be overcome. I believe I've cited the main ones.