Newsletter ICC-PIDS-NL-19/08_En

Editorial p.1 | Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui arrested in the DRC and transferred to The Hague p.1 | First appearance of Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui before Pre-Trial Chamber I p.2 | Profile on Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui p.2 | The role of the Court in the transfer of Mr Ngudjolo Chui to The Hague p.3 | Prosecutor meets with the local population of the Central African Republic p.4 | The Court develops its outreach strategy for CAR p.4 | ICC holds workshops in Ugandan Acholi sub-region p.5 | The Outreach Unit expands radio broadcasting programme in the DRC p.5 | Resignation of the Registrar p.6 | Ms Silvana Arbia newly elected as new ICC Registrar p.6 | The ICC signs a memorandum of understanding with the AALCO p.6 | Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties holds first meeting for 2008 p.7 | Worldwide architectural design competition for the ICC's new premises launched p.7 | Editorial Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui arrested in the DRC and transferred to The Hague Last month, the Court not only achieved the transfer of a further suspect to the ICC, as in Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui, a Congolese national and alleged two previous cases, but for the first time a former leader of the National integrationist Front (FNI) decision of the Court led to the actual arrest and currently a Colonel in the National Army of the of a person. Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo [Forces armées de la RDC/ Armed Forces of the DRC] While Part IX of the Rome Statute clearly (FARDC), was arrested on 6 February 2008, by the states the obligation of the States Parties to Congolese authorities and transferred to the International co-operate fully with the Court, it is Criminal Court (ICC). He arrived at the Detention Centre nonetheless appropriate and indispensable of the Court, in The Hague the following day. Mr Ngudjolo to commend the realisation of this co- Chui is alleged to have committed crimes against humanity operation. Making an arrest in a national and war crimes as set out in articles 7 and 8 of the Statute, February 2008 #19 system in execution of an international committed in the territory of the Democratic Republic of warrant and transferring a suspect to The the Congo since July 2002. Hague requires even closer co-operation than usual between numerous players to Pre-Trial Chamber I issued a sealed warrant of arrest for surmount the various challenges. Mr Ngudjolo Chui on 6 July 2007, after having examined the request and evidence submitted by the Prosecutor. The In the present case, the arrest and transfer warrant was unsealed on 7 February 2008. were achieved with co-operation from the Government of the Democratic Republic of Factual allegations the Congo, Belgium, and MONUC provided Pre-Trial Chamber I found that there were reasonable to the Registry, which itself was assisted by grounds to believe that Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui, as the the Office of the Prosecutor. highest ranking FNI commander, played an essential role in designing and implementing an indiscriminate attack Each execution of a judicial decision is an act against the village of Bogoro, in the territory of Ituri, on or which builds on global democracy. around 24 February 2003.

The Chamber also found that there were reasonable grounds to believe that during and after the attack on the village of Bogoro against civilians, primarily of Hema ethnicity, with the active participation of children under the age of fifteen years, several criminal acts were committed: the murder of about 200 civilians; causing serious bodily harm to civilians; arresting, threatening with weapons and imprisoning civilians in a room filled with corpses; pillaging; sexual enslavement of several women and girls.

Bruno Cathala, Registrar The Chamber further found that there were reasonable Continued on page 2

Maanweg 174, 2516 AB The Hague, The Netherlands – Maanweg 174, 2516 AB La Haye, Pays-Bas www.icc-cpi.int 1 Telephone – Téléphone +31(0)70 515 85 15 / Facsimile – Télécopie +31(0)70 515 85 556 First appearance of Mathieu Ngudjolo Profile on Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui Chui before Pre-Trial Chamber I

Continued from page 1 grounds to believe that a common plan to First appearance of Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui carry out an attack on Bogoro was agreed upon by Mr Ngudjolo Chui and other senior before Pre-Trial Chamber I FNI and FRPI (Force de résistance patriotique en Ituri/ Patriotic Resistance Force in Ituri) military commanders, and that the criminal acts committed during and after the attack were part of the common plan or were at the very least, a probable and accepted consequence of the implementation of the said common plan.

According to the Chamber, there were reasonable grounds to believe that the attack on the village of Bogoro took place in the context of an armed conflict in the territory of Ituri, and that the attack was jointly launched by the FNI and the FRPI as part of a systematic or widespread attack directed against the civilian population of certain parts of the territory of Ituri, primarily of Hema ethnicity, between January and at least March 2003. Mr Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui makes his initial appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber I © ICC-CPI/Marco Okhuizen

The counts On 11 February 2008, Pre-Trial Chamber I Kilenda as duty counsel to represent him The warrant of arrest for Mathieu Ngudjolo held a public hearing during which during this first appearance, and until he Chui lists nine counts on the basis of his Congolese national Mathieu Ngudjolo chooses a counsel to represent him for the individual criminal responsibility (articles Chui, appeared for the first time before the rest of the proceedings before the Court. 25(3)(a) or 25(3)(b)) of the Rome Statute of Court. The identity of the suspect was the International Criminal Court) including: verified by the judges. The duty counsel challenged the • three counts of crimes against humanity: admissibility of the case before the Court murder - article 7(1)(a), inhumane acts - In order to ensure that Mathieu Ngudjolo based on the principle of Ne bis in idem article 7(1)(k), and sexual slavery - article Chui was clearly informed of the charges or double jeopardy as enshrined in Article 7(1)(g); presented by the prosecution, presiding 20 of the Rome Statute, and requested the • six counts of war crimes: wilful killing - judge Akua Kuenyehia, requested a Court Chamber to grant his client interim release. article 8(2)(a)(i) or 8(2)(c)(i), inhuman officer to read the arrest warrant in full. The Chamber noted that it will consider treatment - article 8(2)(a)(ii) or cruel The Chamber also satisfied itself that the the issue of joining the charges against treatment - article 8(2)(c)(i), using children suspect was informed of his rights under Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo under the age of fifteen years to participate the Rome Statute, including the right to Chui. actively in hostilities - article 8(2)(b)(xxvi) apply for interim release pending trial. or article 8(2)(e)(vii), sexual slavery - Pre-Trial Chamber I designated Judge Sylvia article 8(2)(b)(xxii) or article 8(2)(e)(vi), The Chamber reminded the detainee of his Steiner as single judge in the case intentionally directing attacks against the right to freely choose counsel to represent The Prosecutor v. Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui, in civilian population as such or against him in proceedings before the Court. In order to organise status conferences and individual civilians not taking direct part in the interim, the Registry in accordance to ensure that disclosure takes place under hostilities - article 8(2)(b)(i) or 8(2)(e)(i), with Regulation 73.2 of the Regulations satisfactory conditions. The Chamber also pillaging a town or place even when taken of the Court and in consultation with Mr provisionally set the confirmation of by assault - article 8(2)(b)(xvi) or article Ngudjolo Chui, appointed Mr Jean-Pierre charges hearing for 21 May 2008. 8(2)(e)(v)).

Statement of the Registrar Profile on Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui The Registrar of the Court, Bruno Cathala, welcomed the decision of a State Party to the Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui was born in Bunia, nurse in Bunia. In August 2002, following Rome Statute to execute an ICC decision. in the Ituri region of the Democratic the occupation of Bunia by the Union des "Once again, the Congolese authorities have Republic of the Congo (DRC). He grew up in Patriotes Congolais (UPC) he became a actively co-operated with the Court in the Katonie, close to Bogoro. He speaks Lingala, military commander of Lendu troops based spirit of the Statute, and have enforced a French, Congolese Swahili and Kilendu and in and around Zumbe, Ezekere. Then in judicial decision by arresting Mathieu is married with two children. March/April 2003, Mr Ngudjolo Chui was Ngudjolo Chui and surrendering him to the appointed as one of three high ranking Court", said the Registrar. Until August 2002 Mr Ngudjolo Chui was a leaders of the allied army of the Front des

2 The role of the Court in the transfer of Mr Ngudjolo Chui to The Hague

Nationalistes et Intégrationnistes - Front de In June 2005, it is alleged that Mathieu agreed, pursuant to the arrangement made Résistance Patriotique d'Ituri (FNI and FRPI) Ngudjolo Chui became the founding member with the DRC authorities, to demobilise his based in Bunia, becoming Chief of Staff of of another rebel group, the Mouvement troops. In December 2006 until present day, the FRPI in 2003. révolutionnaire congolais (MRC). For this he was appointed colonel in the Forces reason a national arrest warrant was issued Armées de la Répubique Démocratique du On 23 October 2003, Mathieu Ngudjolo against him in connection with his role Congo based in Bunia. As of 2 November Chui was apprehended by a United Nations within the MRC in September 2005. Further 2007, Mr Ngudjolo Chui was in Kinshasa for Mission in the DRC (MONUC) battalion in to this in November 2005, a global travel ban senior officer training. Bunia, and surrendered to the DRC was announced and his assets were frozen authorities following allegations related to pursuant to United Nations Security Council Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui is the third person the murder of a member of another armed (UNSC) Resolution 1596. surrendered by the DRC authorities to the political group. In June 2004, he was ICC. He is the second person charged in charged and acquitted by the Tribunal de In August 2006, Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui connection with the investigation into Grande Instance and released in December signed a peace deal as the MRC president, crimes allegedly committed by leaders of the 2004. with the DRC government in which he FNI-FRPI armed groups in Ituri, DRC.

The role of the Court in the transfer of Mr Ngudjolo Chui to The Hague

The operation to transfer Mathieu Ngudjolo With regard to the specific arrest of Mathieu authorities, Mr Ngudjolo Chui was brought Chui from the Congolese authorities (who Ngudjolo Chui after an arrest warrant was before the competent judicial authority in made the arrest in Kinshasa) to the Court in issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I, the Registry the DRC in accordance with Article 59 of the The Hague was planned and organised by notified the Congolese authorities of the Rome Statute. By order of the relevant the Director of the International Criminal request for his arrest and surrender judicial authority, the custody of the suspect Court's (ICC) Division of Court Services pursuant to an order by the Chamber. In was, thereafter, handed over to the ICC (DCS) in liaison with amongst others, the respect of the transfer operations, the DCS following the escort of Mathieu Ngudjolo Congolese authorities, MONUC and the sought the co-operation of Belgium. The Chui by the Congolese authorities from Field Security Unit (FSU) of the ICC's Belgian authorities assisted in providing an Kinshasa to N'Djili airport. During this Security and Safety Section - a focal point aircraft and a crew. Once the use and type of process, the Director of the DCS ensured the for all officially sanctioned field activity aircraft were confirmed, the DCS proceeded, regularity of the transfer of custody and related to security. in liaison with the Registry's Legal Advisory received the documents to be consigned in Section, to request for transits to the the report on the execution of the arrest The Director of the DCS worked closely with relevant embassies. warrant to be filed by the Registry for the all those involved in the highly confidential attention of Pre-Trial Chamber I. operation, travelling with the ICC Security As soon as the Congolese authorities had Officers from The Hague to Kinshasa and begun the process of locating and arresting Parallel to this, at headquarters, the DCS back. The transfer team's function was for the suspect, the transfer team began the were co-ordinating further arrangements the purposes of this undertaking, to secure process of preparing to depart. In with the Registry sections actively involved Mr Ngudjolo Chui, making sure that he comparison to the previous two transfers, in the arrival, and liaising with the relevant arrived in The Netherlands and was handed Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui was not already Dutch authorities. On the day of the transfer, over to the Dutch authorities in a manner held in detention in the Democratic the DCS informed all stakeholders including that followed the correct legal procedure. Republic of the Congo (DRC) before transfer the Presidency, Chambers, relevant Registry The presence of the Director of the DCS for to The Hague. His arrest was made solely sections and the Dutch authorities, of the the duration of the operation ensured pursuant to the warrant of arrest issued by latest updates concerning the transfer. respect for the rights of the suspect was the ICC whereas the other detainees who guaranteed as well as making sure that all were also subject to a warrant of arrest were On arrival in the Host State of The logistical and legal issues were solved before being held in detention by the Congolese Netherlands, the ICC Security Officers departure. A representative of the Office of authorities. In respect of preparing for the placed the suspect in the custody of the the Prosecutor was also in the field and transfer operation it was the responsibility relevant Dutch local authorities for followed the development of the operation. of the Security and Safety Section to use immediate transport to the ICC Detention their expertise to create a profile on Mr Centre in Scheveningen, The Hague. The Such arrests and transfers are conducted Ngudjolo Chui and to make a threat-risk relevant Registry officials were present at with the help of a standard operational assessment on his potential reaction to his the Detention Centre upon arrival to procedure (SOP) that is in place between transfer. From this, the team could then plan proceed with the admissions procedure the ICC and the Congolese authorities, and for any possible outcome necessary to pursuant to regulation 186 of the that clearly defines the role of the Registry provide safety and security for all those Regulations of the Registry. Thereafter the and focal points on both sides. The SOP also involved. arrival and admission were confirmed to the outlines the necessary steps to be followed Court's Presidency, Pre-Trial Chamber I, and by the relevant parties. Once under arrest by the relevant local the Registrar.

3 Prosecutor meets with the local population of the Central African Republic The Court develops its outreach strate- gy for CAR

Prosecutor meets with the local population of the Central African Republic

will be held accountable: such acts are serious crimes falling under ICC jurisdiction and they will be prosecuted."

The Office is also monitoring acts of violence committed since 2005 in the northern part of the country. The Prosecutor addressed national accountability efforts with the CAR authorities. He also urged international support for all efforts to end impunity.

"The people of Central African Republic need to know the world has not forgotten them" the Prosecutor said. "Our investigative activities in CAR can bring to the attention of the international community the terrible problems Residents of Boy-Rabe Bangui meet with the Prosecutor © ICC-CPI facing the people here and the need to address them urgently. We need comprehensive On February 7, the Prosecutor, Luis Moreno- Interactive Radio for Justice. solutions for CAR and the support of all. Ocampo travelled to the Central African International justice is a central part of the Republic (CAR) where investigations into The Prosecutor also met senior government solution". allegations of massive crimes are currently on- officials, and paid a visit to the ICC local field Crowds welcome the Prosecutor to Bangui © ICC-CPI going. office, which opened in October 2007.

While in Bangui, the Prosecutor met with The Office of the Prosecutor announced the victims, civil society representatives, local opening of the investigation in CAR on 22 May media and the local population. He visited the 2007. It focuses on crimes which were mainly violence-affected area of Boy-Rabe in the committed during the violence of 2002-2003. fourth arrondissement of Bangui, where troops The particularly high number of allegations of allegedly committed crimes in 2002, and there rape and other acts of sexual violence is one of he met and spoke with victims, in particular the main features of the investigation. female victims of sexual violence. "Hundreds of terrified women have been He participated in a public discussion with subjected to the ordeal of sexual violence" said several hundred local women, men and the Prosecutor. "We hear of gang rapes, horrific children, who came to tell their stories and sexual acts being inflicted on women, young directly ask him questions about what the girls, the elderly, in some cases on men. investigation and the ICC mean for the people Perpetrators of acts of massive sexual violence, of CAR. The dialogue was broadcast by in CAR and elsewhere, must know that they

The Court develops its outreach strategy for CAR

Since the opening of the Bangui field office outreach plans tailored to the specific needs chance to lay the foundations for in October 2007, the International Criminal of the region. partnerships based on the sharing of Court (ICC) has been working to develop its experiences relevant to the specific situation outreach strategy for the Central African The session was an opportunity for those in the Central African Republic. Republic (CAR) that will enable the Court human rights non-governmental organisations, to expand its reach to those communities representatives of religious denominations, A report setting out the strategy and its main affected by the crimes being investigated by trades union groups, youth groups, components will be released in the near the ICC. In this context, on 18 - 20 February journalists and lawyers interested in the future. Following this, it is envisaged that 2008, the Outreach Unit organised and work of the ICC, to take an active part in the proposed activities will be implemented held an interactive workshop attended by defining the Court's priorities and activities in the field with the reaffirmed support approximately 20 civil society representatives which will be implemented for the duration of those organisations that took part in the from key CAR groups aimed at developing of the judicial proceedings. It was also a workshop.

4 ICC holds workshops in Ugandan The Outreach Unit expands radio broadcasting programme in the DRC Acholi sub-region

ICC holds workshops in Ugandan Acholi sub-region

The Court's Outreach Unit in Uganda is further improved. Local leaders maintain a key members of the three major clans currently focusing on strengthening existing significant influence within their own representing the 126 sub-clans of the Lango partnerships with local and traditional community and it is anticipated that in community also attended. leaders in the northern part of the country. making these leaders more aware of how the The aim of this strategy will be to reach a ICC operates will increase their ability, when Throughout the meetings, key themes wider audience in the communities affected asked, to provide accurate guidance on issues included an explanation of the role and work by the situation currently under investigation related to the Court. It is anticipated that it of the ICC, describing the main functions of by the Court. will also increase the general population's the various organs of the Court, the role and exposure to the international criminal justice rights of victims, and how the outreach To achieve this, the Outreach Unit, in system. information dissemination mechanism works. collaboration with the Victims Participation Those who took an active part in the and Reparations Section (VPRS) and a local The Outreach team identified a need to deliberations afterwards commended the non-governmental organisation (NGO), discuss issues related to local leader support workshops and the Court’s efforts to create a Youth Out of Poverty and AIDS (YOPA) taking into account the intricate role they shared forum. conducted two workshops in the Pader and play in affecting opinion in their localities Kitgum districts of the Acholi sub-region on whilst making preparations aimed at Similar workshops are currently being 15 and 18 February, 2008. intensifying mass outreach in the area. To organised for local leaders in the Soroti and this end, the Outreach Unit organised a Kaberamaido districts in the Teso region of The workshops attended by over 90 training session for instructors on 21 northeastern Uganda. In addition, the participants were held in consultation with February, for 30 representatives of the Outreach Unit has finalised interactive radio local Acholi leaders to discuss how their Lango Cultural Foundation in Lira and talk shows that will be broadcast via four role in disseminating information about the provided them with information related to local radio stations located in the Teso, Lango International Criminal Court (ICC) might be the work of the ICC. The prime minister and and Madi sub-regions.

The Outreach Unit expands radio broadcasting programme in the DRC

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) last August. Media from Mahagi, Aru, their own ideas and opinions on what they Outreach Unit is continuing to expand its use Mambassa, Nizi and Kasenyi participated. have heard. These views will then be collated of radio programming throughout the It is envisaged that new programmes based by a co-ordinator for each listening club. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). on the current judicial course of events, will co-ordinator will pass this information back be produced and broadcast based on a to the ICC field office for the Outreach Unit Significantly, this comes at a time following similar format of those made in 2007 such to act upon. It is foreseen that these clubs will the publication of an opinion poll taken as ‘Droits et devoirs' and 'Institutions, c'est not only provide an active forum for by the Coalition for the International facile à comprendre', which were produced discussion, but will also enable the Court to Criminal's Court (CICC) in which radio as a in collaboration with Radio Okapi and evaluate how much of the Court's work is succesful tool to publicise the work of the re-distributed to other Congolese radio perceived at a grass roots level. Court has been effectively demonstrated. stations. 'Connaitre la Cour Pénale The report was made to evaluate the Court's Internationale' also included interviews With regard to television viewing, current outreach strategy. with various ICC staff members. The new programmes are received by a minority of programmes, to be broadcast in French, Congolese; the majority of viewers are those According to the report, 57 per cent of those Lingala and Swahili will expand on the based in Kinshasa. Therefore the ICC will questioned in the DRC said they received current issues of the Court and the cases continue to create new programme sketches information about the ICC from the radio. relevant to the situation. to be aired on national Congolese TV and This is in contrast to the 21 per cent who Digital Congo, a private channel. used television to receive news. The DRC In addition, the 'listening clubs' whereby is an area where the geographic coverage participants are encouraged to play a more The Court's field office in Bunia also held of TV is poor, sets are expensive and interactive role in the proceedings will be a series of outreach workshops for the access to electricity sporadic. It is therefore fully operational starting in April 2008. The diverse leaders of Ituri as part of the understandable why radio, a relatively clubs will target the Ituri towns of Bunia, implementation of its quarterly action plan cheap medium that is easy to transport Mambassa, Mahagi, Aru, Ariwara and for January until March 2008. In total, 506 should be successful. Kasenyi. Radio stations throughout the area leaders attended including human rights will hold clubs in which participants will be NGOs, female members of civil society With the aim of reinforcing the number of invited to come and listen to radio broadcasts organisations, students and district heads. radio stations broadcasting information made in collaboration with the Court. Others, including ethnic community leaders, about the Court, the Outreach Unit is New and updated programmes will be made religious representatives, journalists and currently organising a symposium for each month. Following each broadcast, community radio disc jockeys also participated. journalists similar to the successful one held participants will be given time to provide Continued on page 6

5 Resignation of the Registrar Ms Silvana Arbia newly elected as new The ICC signs a memorandum of ICC Registrar understanding with the AALCO

Resignation of the Registrar

The Registrar of the International Criminal contribution to the set-up, development and years. In this capacity, he has helped to Court, Mr Bruno Cathala, submitted his administration of the Court. shape an international judicial institution resignation to the President of the Court, adequately equipped to work in the Judge Philippe Kirsch on 13 February 2008, Mr Cathala was the first employee of the evolving international criminal justice to take effect on 9 April 2008. He will take International Criminal Court. From October environment. up a position in the French judicial system 2002 to June 2003, he headed the Division as President of the Tribunal de Grande of Common Administrative Services which In the exercise of his functions, Mr Cathala Instance d'Evry. laid the operational groundwork for the has brought vast national and international functioning of the Court, and he performed experience in court administration and President Kirsch thanked the Registrar for the duties of the Registrar on an interim management. His contribution in the areas his dedicated service to the Court and basis. of defence, victims and outreach has congratulated him on his new appointment. stemmed from his vision of and personal He expressed his personal appreciation and In June 2003, he was elected as the first commitment to the realisation of the quality that of the Court for Mr Cathala's important Registrar of the Court for a period of five of justice at the ICC.

Ms Silvana Arbia newly elected as new ICC Registrar

On Thursday 28 February 2008, the judges Furthermore, Ms Arbia participated in the order to safeguard their rights under the meeting in plenary session elected by an drafting of the Rome Statute of the Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure absolute majority, in accordance with the International Criminal Court as a member of and Evidence. Furthermore, the Registry procedure laid down in the Rules of the Italian delegation at the 1998 Diplomatic plays a key role in ensuring proceedings are Procedure and Evidence, Ms Silvana Arbia Conference in Rome. public, and is also responsible for the of Italy as Registrar of the International establishment and development of the Criminal Court for a five-year term. She will Ms Arbia holds a Laurea in Law from Padova Court's field operations. take up her functions at a date to be University, Italy, and was a professional determined shortly. judge in Italy. She has published several essays and books on human rights and Continued from page 5 Ms Arbia has extensive experience in children's rights. The message content of the workshops international law, criminal law, and the presented in the local languages of Lingala, judicial management aspects of international The Registrar, as head of the Registry, is the Swahili and occasionally, French, focused criminal law. She is currently Chief of principal administrative officer of the Court primarily on the logistical and judicial aspects Prosecutions at the International Criminal and exercises his or her functions under the of the start of the Lubanga trial, and the Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), where she was authority of the President. The core function arrest and transfer of Mathieu Ngudjolo previously a Senior Trial Attorney and Acting of the Registry is to provide administrative Chui. However, other topics such as general Chief of Prosecutions in the Office of the and operational support to all organs of the information about the Court, its proceedings Prosecutor, and led the prosecution of Court. It develops effective mechanisms to - including aspects related to the confirmation important cases before the ICTR. assist victims, witnesses and the defence in of charges hearing, etc., were expanded upon. Participants were also able to express their concerns on issues such as victim The ICC signs a memorandum of participation, which were addressed by Court officials. The leaders of the local understanding with the AALCO districts and smaller administrative entities also produced a schedule for public A memorandum of understanding (MoU) AALCO is an inter-governmental information activities for their respective areas. was signed between the International organisation whose primary purpose is to Criminal Court (ICC) and the Asian-African serve as an advisory body to its member Further to this, attendees were able to Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) governments in the field of international law actively contribute to the Court's proposed on 5 February 2008. and to provide a forum for co-operation in strategy to ensure that the trial can be legal matters of concern to those member followed and understood by those affected Signed on behalf of the ICC by President states. by the conflict. Suggestions were collected Philippe Kirsch and by H.E. Ambassador from participants on the kind of approaches Dr Wafik Zaher Kamil, Secretary-General The agreement facilitates co-operation the Court might adopt in the field to enable of the AALCO, the aim of the agreement is in areas such as promoting awareness the local Ituri population to follow the to formalise and reinforce co-operation and of international criminal law, exchanges of various hearings during the trial. These assistance between the two organisations in information, and attendance at conferences, suggestions will be discussed and addressed matters of mutual concern including meetings and public hearings. in the forthcoming report on media international criminal law. arrangements for the Lubanga trial.

6 Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties Worldwide architectural design competi- holds first meeting for 2008 tion for the ICC's new premises launched

Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties holds first meeting for 2008

The President-elect of the Assembly, Mr Konrad Bühler (Austria) would The New York Working Group Ambassador Christian Wenaweser undertake consultations towards identifying On 30 January 2008, the focal point on (Liechtenstein), chaired the first meeting of a focal point for the Group of Western the review of the Rome Statute, Ambassador the Bureau, held on 11 February 2008. European and Other States. Rolf Fife (Norway), and the facilitator of the New York Working Group on the Facilitators of the Working Groups The Hague Working Group Review Conference, Mr Sabelo Sivuyile The Bureau appointed Ambassador Andreas The Hague Working Group held its second Maqungo (South Africa), held informal Mavroyiannis (Cyprus) as facilitator for meeting on 18 February to, inter alia, consultations to consider the issue of the the issue of the independent oversight consider the issue of permanent premises Review Conference, in particular the venue committee. The Bureau noted that it would and hear a presentation by the Chief thereof. be useful to consult with the Court on how Government Architect of The Netherlands, to proceed on this matter without having to Mr Mels Crouwel, on the architectural Oversight Committee await the outcome of discussions within design competition, which was launched At its first meeting on 30 January 2008, the the United Nations on a similar mechanism. on 4 February. Oversight Committee of States Parties for the permanent premises of the Court Seventh session of the Assembly The Chief Government Architect indicated appointed Ambassador Jorge Lomonaco Bearing in mind that at the beginning of that the aim is to announce, at the seventh (Mexico) as Chairperson. In addition, the the seventh session, in November 2008, session of the Assembly, in November Committee identified several issues that the Assembly would have to elect a new 2008, three prize-winners who will be would require its attention in the near Bureau for the seventh to ninth sessions, the invited to negotiations on the terms future: the recruitment of the Project Bureau appointed the following focal points and conditions of a contract to prepare Director, preparation of the proposed to liaise with their respective regional detailed designs. On the basis of the budget for 2009 for major programme VII, groups and to hold informal consultations outcome of the negotiations, the Project consideration of financing options, as well in advance of the session: Board, established by resolution ICC- as issues related to the architectural design ASP/6/Res.1, will determine the final competition. i) Mr Sabelo Sivuyile Maqungo (South winner. Africa) - Group of African States At its second meeting, held on 13 February, ii) Ms Polly Ioannou (Cyprus) - Group of As regards the composition of the jury the Committee appointed Ambassador Lyn Asian States for the competition, the Chief Government Parker (United Kingdom) as Vice-Chairperson. iii) Ms Janine Coye-Felson (Belize) - Group Architect explained that four independent The Committee also established two of Latin American and Caribbean States architects have confirmed their participation. sub-groups on the recruitment of the iv) Ms Minna-Liina Lind (Estonia) - Group Additional architects are still to be Project Director and on the financing of of Eastern European States determined. the project.

Worldwide architectural design competition for the ICC's new premises launched

A worldwide architectural design competition ancillary facilities will have to be provided winners will be chosen from this group. for the construction of the International with a total gross floor space of up to 46,000 Criminal Court's permanent premises was m². Furthermore, parking facilities as well as The competition time schedule is: launched on 4 February 2008. The aim of this plans for further expansion for up to 300 • Deadline for entry submission: 1 April 2008 unique project, organised by the Chief workstations are foreseen. Therefore, the • Selection of participants: 16 May 2008 Government Architect of The Netherlands, is spatial and functional design should take into • Brief received, design and proposal to select the best architect and design that account the need for long-term flexibility. submitted: May until August 2008 will be realised in the construction of the new • Designs evaluated and prize-winners building on a prime site covering over 72,000 To ensure anonymity and for technical chosen: 30/31 October 2008 m², bordering the North Sea dunes and The purposes, the working language for the Hague. competition will be English. All candidates The jury will award three prizes for the best wishing to apply for submission should do designs: The ICC and the Host State of The so before the deadline, from which up to 20 • 1st prize: € 60.000 Netherlands share the conviction that the participants will be chosen. The competition • 2nd prize: € 50.000 new purpose built premises should provide brief will then be sent to those selected in • 3rd prize: € 40.000 suitable working conditions, functionality May 2008. Each contributor that submits a and security, whilst fulfilling an ecological design concept in-line with the For further information regarding competition remit. Within the premises, up to 1,200 requirements laid down in the brief shall details please access the ICC website: workstations, courtrooms, and various receive a fee of € 35.000. The three prize www.icc-architectural-competition.com

7 8 This is not an official document. It is intended for public information only.