The parliament has directed the government to sign the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court immediately.

Proposing the agenda for resolution, MP Parshu Ram Meghi Gurung said signing of the Rome Statute will help to bring criminals to court for punishment.

Taking part in the discussion, MPs including Minendra Rijal of Nepali Congress (Democratic) said signing of the Statute was necessary at the present situation to discourage unjustifiable killing of innocent people and end the state lawlessness in the country.

Responding to the questions raised by the MPs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Khadga Prasad Oli said adoption of the Statute will also bind the criminals absconding from punishment by the court.

Demands for ratification of the Statute have been raised since the last few years.

The statute was prepared and adopted in April 1998 in Rome, Italy and came into enforcement from June 15, 1998. 58 countries are signatory to this statute so far. However, the US and the UK are not signatories.

Meanwhile, Oli informed the House that 21 Nepalis have been rescued from Lebanon and will land in Kathmandu by tomorrow. He said the consulate in Lebanon and Nepali Embassy in Egypt have been coordinating with the Indian government and International Migration Organisation (IMO) for the rescue of Nepalis. He added that no Nepalis have been injured so far.