ICC-PIDS-WU-235/15_Eng 9 to 13 March 2015 ICC Weekly Update #235 Further informationonthiscaseisavailablehere. Chamber decisionontheProsecution'sappealofregardingcooperationGovernmentKenya. Appeals the on depending case this on jurisdiction residual a resume to necessary be may it the that today, considered decision Chamber its In Statute. Rome the under obligations its with Government Kenyan the of non-compliance to relation in matter the Parties States of Assembly the to refer to declining decision the appeal to request Prosecutor's the 2015, March 9 on also, had Chamber The action'. of course a such support to evidence sufficient obtain it should Prosecution to bring 'new charges against the accused at a later date, based on the same or similar factual circumstances, the to open be would it and attach, not would idem in bis ne of principle the time, this at Prosecution the by charges of The Chamber recalled that, in its previous or victimsshallcontinue,subjecttothereviewbyCourt. any interference over with a witness or with the jurisdiction collection of evidence and that retains the protective measures ordered for Court witnesses and/ the terminated, be shall proceedings the although that, also stressed Chamber The the Chamberdecidedtoterminateproceedingsinthiscaseandvacatesummonsappearagainsthim. of withdrawal the on decision its issued Court charges in the case Criminal concerning Mr . Noting the Prosecution's International the of V(B) Chamber Trial 2015, March 13 On Trial ChamberV(B)terminatestheproceedings Kenyatta Case Issued bythePresidencyon13March2015 Decision assigningjudgestodivisions Decisions andorders Issued bythePresidencyon13March 2015 Decision assigningjudgestodivisions Decisions andorders Ruto andSangCase Issued byTrialChamberV(b)on9March2015 Decision ontheProsecution'srequestforleavetoappeal Issued byTrialChamberV(b)on13March2015 Decision onthewithdrawalofchargesagainstMrKenyatta Decisions andorders or attemptingtocorruptlyinfluenceICCwitnesses.MrBarasaisnotintheCourt'scustody. initially issued on 2 August 2013, for several offences against the administration of justice, consisting of corruptly influence case the in warrant arrest an unsealed II Chamber Pre-Trial 2013, October 2 On charges of withdrawal him. against appear Prosecution's to summons the vacate to and case this in proceedings the terminate to decided Kenyatta, Mr against the noting V(B), Chamber Trial 2015, March 13 On Kenyatta. Mr. against charges withdraw to notice a filed Prosecutor the 2014, December 5 on Subsequently, trial. to proceed to readiness or charges of Chamber the 2014, withdrawal its either December indicate to Prosecution 3 the directed and On adjournment further for 2014. request Prosecution’s the October rejected 7 for scheduled provisionally Kenyatta, case Muigai the Uhuru in v. date commencement Prosecutor trial the vacated V(b) Chamber Trial 2014, September 19 On 2013. September 10 case the in trial The withdrawn. were Muthaura Muthaura and Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and committed them to trial. On 18 March 2013, the Kirimi charges against Francis Kirimi Francis Sang, Arap Joshua Ruto, Samoei William against only charges the confirmed judges the 2012, January 23 On respectively. 2011, October 5 to September 21 and 2011, September 9 to 1 from place took cases two the in hearings charges of confirmation The 2011. April 8 and 7 on II Chamber Pre-Trial before appeared voluntarily citizens Kenyan six investigation cases, separate two in 2011 March 8 on issued appear to summonses Following 2005. since Party State Kenya, in situation an open to request Prosecutor’s the granted II Chamber Pre-Trial 2010, March 31 On Situation inKenya Maanweg 174, 2516ABThe Hague, TheNetherlands –Maanweg 174,2516 ABLa Haye, Pays-Bas Telephone – Téléphone +31(0)70 515 8515 /Facsimile – Télécopie +31(0)70 515 8555 decision of 3 December 2014, it had indicated that, in the event of a withdrawal started on started Sang Arap Joshua and Ruto Samoei William v. Prosecutor The withdrawal of charges against Mr Kenyatta, The Prosecutor v. Walter Osapiri Barasa, Osapiri Walter v. Prosecutor The www.icc-cpi.int in the in motu proprio granted The 1

Judicial Update

Situation in Côte d’Ivoire Côte d’Ivoire, which was not party to the Rome Statute at the time, had accepted the jurisdiction of the ICC on 18 April 2003; on 14 December 2010 and 3 May 2011, the Presidency of Côte d’Ivoire reconfirmed the country’s acceptance of this jurisdiction. On 3 October 2011, the Pre-Trial Chamber authorised the Prosecutor to open an investigation into the situation in Côte d’Ivoire since 28 November 2010. On 22 February 2012, Pre-Trial Chamber III decided to expand its authorisation for the investigation in Côte d’Ivoire to include crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court allegedly committed between 19 September 2002 and 28 November 2010. and Charles Blé Goudé are accused of four counts of (murder, , other inhumane acts or – in the alternative – attempted murder, and ) allegedly committed in the context of post-electoral violence in Côte d’Ivoire between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011. Charges were confirmed against them on 12 June 2014 and 11 December 2014, respectively and their trial assigned to Trial Chamber I. On 11 March 2015, Trial Chamber I joined the two cases in order to ensure the efficacy and expeditiousness of the proceedings. The Chamber will set the trial date in due course. Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé are in the Court’s custody. On 22 November 2012, Pre-Trial Chamber I unsealed a warrant of arrest in the case The Prosecutor v. for four charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the territory of Côte d'Ivoire between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011. On 11 December 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire's challenge to the admissibility of the case against Simone Gbagbo before the Court, and reminded Côte d'Ivoire of its obligation to surrender Simone Gbagbo to the Court without delay. Mrs. Gbagbo is not in the custody of the Court.

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé Case

ICC Trial Chamber I joins the cases concerning Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé

On 11 March 2015, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) granted the Prosecutor's request to join the cases concerning Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé, in order to ensure the efficacy and expeditiousness of the proceedings. The Chamber vacated the commencement date for the trial in the Gbagbo case, originally set for 7 July 2015, and scheduled a status conference for 21 April 2015 at 09:30 in order to examine procedural issues related to the trial.

The Chamber noted that both Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé have had charges confirmed against them which arise from the same allegations, namely crimes allegedly committed during the same four incidents by the same direct perpetrators who targeted the same victims because they were perceived to be supporters of . The Chamber also noted that, although their alleged participation in and/or contribution to the conception and implementation of the common plan or purpose is not the same, the conduct of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé, as alleged in the Confirmation Decisions, is nevertheless closely linked. The Chamber also explained that as, according to the Prosecution, largely the same evidence has been and will be disclosed and presented in both cases.

After considering the submissions and observations of the Prosecution, the Defence teams of both accused and the Legal Representatives of the victims, the Chamber concluded that a joint trial is appropriate to ensure a fair and expeditious trial. The Chamber concluded that the joinder of the cases would serve the interest of justice by avoiding the duplication of a significant body of evidence that shall be presented to the Chamber, and by ensuring consistency in the presentation and assessment of the evidence. The Chamber also noted that the cases' joinder would allow for a better use of the Court's resources and would reduce the exposure of and hardship to witnesses, who otherwise may have to testify twice. Furthermore, the Chamber considered that separate trials are not necessary to ensure that the accused will not suffer any serious prejudice.

In addition, the Chamber designated Judge Geoffrey Henderson as Presiding Judge and as Single Judge for the purposes of trial preparation in the joint case.

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Decision on Prosecution requests to join the cases of The Prosecutor v. Laurent Gbagbo and The Prosecutor v. Charles Blé Goudé and related matters Issued by Trial Chamber I on 11 March 2015

Laurent Gbagbo Case

Decisions and orders

Eighth decision on the review of Mr Laurent Gbagbo's detention pursuant to Article 60(3) of the Statute Issued by Trial Chamber I on 11 March 2015

Decision on Defence's requests seeking leave to appeal the 'Decision on the Legal Representative of Victims' access to certain confidential filings and to the case record' and seeking suspensive effect of it. Issued by Trial Chamber I on 11 March 2015

2 Judicial Update

Order reclassifying documents Issued by Trial Chamber I on 10 March 2015

Decision authorising the VWU to make additional observations on the Familiarisation Protocol Issued by Trial Chamber I on 10 March 2015

Simone Gbagbo Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Situation in Darfur, There are five cases in the situation in Darfur, Sudan: The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Muhammad Harun (”Ahmad Harun”) and Ali Muhammad Ali Abd- Al-Rahman (””); The Prosecutor v. Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir; The Prosecutor v. Bahar Idriss Abu Garda; The Prosecutor v. Abakaer Nourain; and The Prosecutor v. Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein. Five warrants of arrest have been issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I for Messrs Harun, Kushayb, Al Bashir and Hussein. The four suspects remain at large. A summons to appear was issued for Mr Abu Garda who appeared voluntarily before the Chamber on 18 May 2009. After the confirmation of charges hearing, in February 2010, Pre-Trial Chamber I declined to confirm the charges. Two other summonses to appear were issued against Mr Banda and Mr Jerbo who appeared voluntarily on 17 June 2010; the confirmation of charges hearing took place on 8 December 2010. On 7 March 2011, Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously decided to confirm the charges of war crimes brought by the ICC Prosecutor against Mr Banda and Mr Jerbo, and committed them to trial. On 16 March 2011, the ICC Presidency constituted Trial Chamber IV and referred the case to it. On 4 October 2013, Trial Chamber IV terminated the proceedings against after receiving evidence pointing towards the death of Mr Jerbo on 19 April 2013. On 11 September 2014, Trial Chamber IV issued an arrest warrant against Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain. The Chamber also vacated the trial date previously scheduled to open on 18 November 2014 and directed the ICC Registry to transmit the new requests for arrest and surrender to any State, including the Sudan, on whose territory Mr Banda may be found.

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015 Al Bashir Case

Pre-Trial Chamber II informs the Security Council about Sudan’s non-cooperation in the arrest and surrender of Omar Al Bashir

On 9 March 2015, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided that the Republic of Sudan failed to cooperate with the Court by not arresting and surrendering Omar Al Bashir to the Court over the last years. The Chamber decided to inform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take the necessary measures it deem appropriate. The Chamber stressed that if there is no follow up action on the part of the UNSC, any referral by the Council to the ICC under Chapter VII of the UN Charter would never achieve its ultimate goal, namely, to put an end to impunity.

The Chamber highlighted that, although Sudan is not a State party to the ICC Rome Statute, it has an obligation to cooperate with the ICC; this obligation stems directly from the United Nations' Charter as Sudan is a UN member since 12 November 1956 and the UNSC has adopted, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, a resolution 1593 (2005) in which it was decided that the "Government of Sudan […] shall cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the Prosecutor pursuant to this resolution".

The Chamber found that Sudan has failed to cooperate with the Court by constantly refusing to engage in any sort of dialogue with the responsible organs of the Court over the past six years and to execute the pending requests for the arrest and surrender of Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir. The Chamber also found that Sudan did not discharge its obligations to consult or notify the Court of any impediment to execute the pending requests.

On 4 March 2009, Pre-Trial Chamber I issued a first warrant of arrest for Mr Al Bashir, considering that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the suspect is criminally responsible for five counts of crimes against humanity and two counts of war crimes. The same Chamber, albeit with a different composition, issued a second warrant of arrest was issued for Mr Al Bashir on 12 July 2010, for three counts of genocide.

For further information on this case, please click here.

3 Judicial Update

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Decision on the Prosecutor’s Request for a Finding of Non-Compliance Against the Republic of the Sudan Issued by Pre-Trial Chamber II on 9 March 2015

Hussein Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Banda Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ratified the Rome Statute on 11 April 2002. On 3 March 2004, the Government of the DRC referred the situation in its territory to the Court. After a preliminary analysis, the Prosecutor initiated an investigation on 21 June 2004. In this situation, six cases have been brought before the relevant Chambers: The Prosecutor v. ; The Prosecutor v. ; The Prosecutor v. ; The Prosecutor v. ; The Prosecutor v. ; and The Prosecutor v. . Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, Germain Katanga and Bosco Ntaganda are currently in the ICC's custody. Sylvestre Mudacumura remains at large. The trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo started on 26 January 2009. On 14 March 2012, Trial Chamber I convicted Mr Lubanga Dyilo and he was sentenced on 10 July 2012 to a total period of 14 years of imprisonment. On 1 December 2014, the Appeals Chamber confirmed, by majority, the verdict declaring Mr Lubanga guilty and the decision sentencing him to 14 years of imprisonment. On 7 August 2012, Trial Chamber I issued a decision on the principles and the process to be implemented for reparations to victims in the case. On 3 March 2015, the Appeals Chamber amended the Trial Chamber’s order for reparations and instructed the Trust Fund for Victims to present a draft implementation plan for collective reparations to the newly constituted Trial Chamber I no later than six months from the 3 March 2015 judgment. The trial in the case against Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui started on 24 November 2009 and closing statements were heard from 15 to 23 May 2012. On 21 November 2012, Trial Chamber II decided to sever the charges against Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui and Germain Katanga. On 18 December 2012, Trial Chamber II acquitted Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui of the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity and ordered his immediate release. On 21 December 2012, Mr Ngudjolo Chui was released from custody. The Office of the Prosecutor has appealed the verdict. On 27 February 2015, the Appeals Chamber confirmed by majority, Trial Chamber II's decision of 18 December 2012 acquitting Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui of charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes. On 7 March 2014, Trial Chamber II convicted German Katanga, as an accessory, of one count of crime against humanity and four counts of war crimes committed during the attack on the village of Bogoro, Ituri, on 24 February 2003. The Prosecutor and the Defence had appealed the judgment, but discontinued the appeals on 25 June 2014. The judgment is now final. On 23 May 2014, Trial Chamber II, ruling in the majority, sentenced Germain Katanga to a total of 12 years’ imprisonment. The time spent in detention at the ICC – between 18 September 2007 and 23 May 2014 – will be deducted from the sentence. Decisions on possible reparations to victims will be rendered later. On 16 December 2011, Pre-Trial Chamber I declined to confirm the charges in the case The Prosecutor v. Callixte Mbarushimana. Mr Mbarushimana was released on 23 December 2011. On 22 March 2013, Bosco Ntaganda surrendered himself to the Court voluntarily and is now in the ICC’s custody. On 9 June 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber II unanimously confirmed charges consisting in 13 counts of war crimes and 5 counts of crimes against humanity against Bosco Ntaganda and committed him for trial before a Trial Chamber. The trial in the Ntaganda case is scheduled to open on 2 June 2015 before Trial Chamber VI.

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Lubanga Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Katanga Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

4 Judicial Update

Mudacumura Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Ntaganda Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Order on the disclosure of material related to Witnesses P-0871, P-0876, P-0882, P-0013, P-0816 and P-0901 Issued by Trial Chamber VI on 12 March 2015

Order requesting submissions on the conduct of proceedings pursuant to Rule 140 of the Rules and on modalities of victims' participation at trial Issued by Trial Chamber VI on 12 March 2015

Ngudjolo Chui Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Situation in the Central African Republic The situation was referred to the Court by the Government of the Central African Republic in December 2004. The Prosecutor opened an investigation in May 2007. The trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo started before Trial Chamber III on 22 November 2010, for two charges of crimes against humanity and three charges of war crimes, and the closing oral statements took place on 12 and 13 November 2014. The judges have commenced their deliberations and the judgement will be pronounced in due course. On 11 November 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber II partially confirmed the charges for Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, Fidèle Babala Wandu, and Narcisse Arido and committed the five suspects to trial for offences against the administration of justice allegedly committed in connection with the case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo. On 30 January 2015, the Presidency of the ICC constituted Trial Chamber VII, which will be in charge of the trial in this case. On 21 October 2014, Pre-Trial Chamber II ordered the interim release of Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, Fidèle Babala Wandu and Narcisse Arido.

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Bemba, Kilolo et al. Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Bemba Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

5 Judicial Update

Situation in Uganda The cases The Prosecutor v. , , and The Prosecutor v. are currently being heard before Pre-Trial Chamber II. Five warrants of arrest have been issued against five top members of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). Following the confirmation of the death of Mr Lukwiya, the proceedings against him have been terminated. On 16 January 2015, Dominic Ongwen was surrendered to the ICC's custody and transferred to the ICC Detention Centre on 21 January 2015. His initial appearance before the single Judge of Pre-Trial Chamber II took place on 26 January 2015. The opening of the confirmation of charges hearing in respect of Dominic Ongwen is scheduled for 21 January 2016. On 6 February 2015, Pre-Trial Chamber II severed the proceedings against Dominic Ongwen from the Kony et al. case. The three remaining suspects are still at large.

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Ongwen Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Kony et al. Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Situation in Libya On 26 February 2011, the United Nations Security Council decided unanimously to refer the situation in Libya since 15 February 2011 to the ICC Prosecutor. On 3 March 2011, the ICC Prosecutor decided to open an investigation in the situation in Libya, which was assigned by the Presidency to Pre-Trial Chamber I. On 27 June 2011, Pre-Trial Chamber I issued three warrants of arrest respectively for Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi for crimes against humanity (murder and persecution) allegedly committed across Libya from 15 until at least 28 February 2011, through the State apparatus and Security Forces. On 22 November 2011, Pre-Trial Chamber I formally terminated the case against due to his death. The remaining suspects are not in the ICC's custody. On 31 May 2013, Pre-Trial Chamber I rejected Libya’s challenge to the admissibility of the case against Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and reminded Libya of its obligation to surrender the suspect to the Court. On 21 May 2014, the ICC Appeals Chamber confirmed the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber I declaring admissible the case against Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi. On 11 October 2013, Pre-Trial Chamber I decided that the case against Abdullah Al-Senussi is inadmissible before the ICC as it was currently subject to domestic proceedings conducted by the Libyan competent authorities and that Libya is willing and able genuinely to carry out such investigation. On 24 July 2014, the Appeals Chamber unanimously confirmed Pre-Trial Chamber I's decision, declaring the case against Abdullah Al-Senussi inadmissible before the ICC and proceedings against Abdullah Al-Senussi before the ICC came to an end.

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Gaddafi Case

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

6 Judicial Update

Situation in Mali On 16 January 2013, the Office of the Prosecutor opened an investigation into alleged crimes committed on the territory of Mali since January 2012. The situation in Mali was referred to the Court by the Government of Mali on 13 July 2012. After conducting a preliminary examination of the situation, including an assessment of admissibility of potential cases, the OTP determined that there was a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation. The situation in Mali is assigned to Pre-Trial Chamber II.

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Situation on Registered Vessels of the Union of the Comoros, the Hellenic Republic and the Kingdom of Cambodia On 5 July 2013, the Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) assigned “the Situation on Registered Vessels of the Union of the Comoros, the Hellenic Republic and the Kingdom of Cambodia” to Pre-Trial Chamber I. This situation was referred to the Court by the Union of the Comoros, regarding an attack on vessels registered respectively to the Comoros, Greece and Cambodia, which are all States Parties to the Rome Statute. On 6 November 2014, the Office of the Prosecutor announced that it was concluding the preliminary examination of the situation referred by the Union of Comoros because legal requirements of the Rome Statute had not been met. On 29 January 2015, the Representatives of the Government of the Union of the Comoros filed an Application for Review pursuant to Article 53(3)(a) of the Prosecutor’s Decision of 6 November 2014 not to initiate an investigation in the Situation.

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Situation in the Central African Republic II On 24 September 2014, following an independent and comprehensive preliminary examination, the Office of the Prosecutor announced the opening of open a second investigation in the Central African Republic (CAR) with respect to crimes allegedly committed since 2012. On 30 May 2014, the ICC Prosecutor received a referral from the Central African authorities regarding crimes allegedly committed on CAR territory since 1 August 2012. The situation is assigned to Pre-Trial Chamber II

Decisions and orders

Decision assigning judges to divisions Issued by the Presidency on 13 March 2015

Relevant Links Courtroom proceedings can be followed on the ICC website: www.icc-cpi.int, where you can also consult the hearing schedule.

7 Other Statements and Events

Other Statements and Events

Judge Fernández de Gurmendi elected ICC President for 2015-2018; Judges Aluoch and Ozaki elected First and Second Vice-President respectively

On 11 March 2015, the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), sitting in a plenary session, elected Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi (Argentina) as President of the Court for a three-year term with immediate effect. Judge Joyce Aluoch (Kenya) was elected First Vice-President and Judge Kuniko Ozaki (Japan) Second Vice-President.

"It is a great honour to have been elected President of the International Criminal Court. I will do my utmost to live up to the trust that my fellow judges have placed in me. I look forward to working together with the two Vice-Presidents, Judge Joyce Aluoch and Judge Kuniko Ozaki, and indeed all the judges and other organs of the Court, as well the Assembly of States Parties, civil society and the international community at large, in fulfilling the ICC's important mandate for the sake of justice, peace and the rule of law", President Fernández de Gurmendi stated following the election. "I also wish to express my deep appreciation of the outstanding contributions that the previous President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, and Vice-Presidents Sanji Mmasenono Monageng and made during their mandate," she added. New ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi (Argentina) ©ICC-CPI​

The Presidency – consisting of the President and the two Vice-Presidents – plays a key role in providing strategic leadership to the ICC as a whole. The Presidency coordinates with the other organs and seeks the concurrence of the Prosecutor on matters of mutual concern. In accordance with the Rome Statute, the ICC's governing treaty, the Presidency is responsible for the proper administration of the Court, with the exception of the Office of the Prosecutor.

​The Presidency oversees the activities of the Registry and provides input into a broad range of administrative policies affecting the Court's overall functioning. Furthermore it conducts judicial review of certain decisions of the Registrar and concludes Court-wide cooperation agreements with States and international organizations.

Six new judges sworn in at the seat of the International Criminal Court

On 10 March 2015, six new judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) were sworn in at a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in (Netherlands). Judges Marc Perrin de Brichambaut (France), Piotr Hofmanski (Poland), Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Bertram Schmitt (Germany), Péter Kovács (Hungary) and Chang-ho Chung (Republic of Korea) were elected for nine- year terms during the thirteenth session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute in December 2014.

Judges Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, Piotr Hofmanski, Bertram Schmitt, Péter Kovács and Chang-ho Chung will commence their service on a full-time basis at the Court on 11 March 2015. Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua will commence at a later date.

ICC Judges Marc Perrin de Brichambaut (France), Piotr Hofmanski (Poland), The judges made a solemn undertaking in open court before Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Bertram the President of the ASP, Minister of Justice of Senegal, H.E. Schmitt (Germany), Péter Kovács (Hungary) and Chang-ho Chung (Republic Mr , stating: "I solemnly undertake that I will of Korea) during their swearing-in ceremony at the seat of the Court in The perform my duties and exercise my powers as a judge of the Hague on 10 March 2015. ©ICC-CPI International Criminal Court honourably, faithfully, impartially

8 Other Statements and Events

and conscientiously, and that I will respect the confidentiality of investigations and prosecutions and the secrecy of deliberations".

ASP President H.E. Mr Sidiki Kaba welcomed the new judges to the Court: "It is a historic responsibility but also a great privilege. Your responsibility is to apply the law, to respect the spirit of the Rome Statute, and to work independently, thereby carrying out the functions which the States entrusted you with. But I do not doubt that you will perform your duties with independence, impartiality and competence. »

ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song stated: "From tomorrow the new judges will be working together with their colleagues to reinforce the rule of law and continue to implement and develop a system of international criminal justice of which the ICC and its States Parties can be proud. In doing so, I am sure they will always remember the countless people around the world, especially the victims and vulnerable, who look to this Court with hope and expectation for a better, more just future."

Also attending the ceremony were the judges of the International Criminal Court, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, ICC Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart, and ICC Registrar Herman von Hebel, together with a large number of diplomats and other high-ranking guests, representatives of other international organisations in The Hague and members of the civil society. ASP President H.E. Mr Sidiki Kaba speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of six new ICC Judges in The The International Criminal Court has a bench of 18 judges who are nationals of States Hague on 10 March 2015 ©ICC-CPI Parties to the Rome Statute. Judges are chosen from among persons of high moral character, impartiality and integrity who possess the qualifications required in their respective countries for appointment to the highest judicial offices. The election of the judges takes into account the need for the representation of the principal legal systems of the world, a fair representation of men and women, and equitable geographical distribution.

• Statement of ASP President H.E. Mr. Sidiki Kaba (in French) • Statement of ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song • Video of the ceremony (YouTube) • Photographs of the ceremony

On 10 March 2015, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda participated in a panel discussion entitled: "Women in Key Leadership Positions in the Field of Law: Global Perspectives." The event was organised by a series of embassies in The Hague to mark International Women’s Day. At the event, Prosecutor Bensouda stressed the importance of law as a tool to advance and protect women’s rights and highlighted her Office’s Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes. ©ICC-CPI

9 Calendar

Calendar

Judicial developments • 23 March 2015 Scheduled resumption of trial hearings in the case The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang • 21 April 2015 Status conference in the case The Prosecutor v. Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé • 2 June 2015 Scheduled opening of the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda • 21 January 2016 Scheduled opening of the confirmation of charges hearing in the caseThe Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen

View the online ICC hearing schedule

Forthcoming events • 17-19 March 2015 12th Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims • 24-25 June 2015 Resumed thirteenth session of the Assembly of States Parties – The Hague

The calendar is subject to last-minute changes.

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