Newsletter E-16.Qxp

Newsletter ICC-PIDS-NL-16/07_En Editorial p.1 | ICC marks five years since entry into force of Rome Statute p.1 | Resignation of the Deputy Prosecutor for Investigations p.2 | Mr Lubanga appoints a new defence counsel and Trial Chamber I prepares the hearing agenda p.3 | The OPCV provides assistance for all four situations at the ICC p.3 | ICC campaign launched on national TV in the DRC p.4 | Outreach for Sudanese expatriates p.4 | ICC holds mass outreach in IDP Camps in Uganda p.4 | Executive Director of the Trust Fund for Victims completes first visit to Uganda p.5 | The Registrar meets with States Parties' representatives in New York p.6 | Inchallah photographic exhibition held at the ICC p.6 | Accession of Japan to the Rome Statute p.6 | Update on the work of the Assembly of States Parties p.7 | Editorial ICC marks five years since entry into This edition of the ICC Newsletter is force of Rome Statute dedicated to the observation of World Day for International Justice and Five years ago the Rome Statute of the International the decision of Trial Chamber I in the Criminal Court (ICC) entered into force, ushering in a new Lubanga case to invite the Office of the era of accountability for international crimes. As expressed in Prosecutor, the defence and victim's its preamble, the aims of the Rome Statute are to put an end representatives to submit their requests to impunity, to contribute to the prevention of the most for issues to be discussed in the serious international crimes and to guarantee lasting respect upcoming hearings in preparation for for and enforcement of international justice. the trial. The hearings will start on 4 June/July 2007 #16 September allowing participants a voice The entry into force of the Rome Statute in 2002 marked the in these arrangements. These hearings transition of the ICC from an idea to a reality. With the should not however, be interpreted as election of the first judges, Prosecutor and Registrar one year the initiation of the trial. later, the institution began to take shape. Since its actual establishment in 2003, the ICC has come a long way. An Japan's accession to the Rome Statute entire international institution has been built from scratch. also on the occasion of International The ICC has recruited a highly talented and diverse staff Justice Day, was welcomed by the Court from around the world, put in place its administrative in ceremonies in New York and The framework and established much of its core infrastructure in Hague. The growing list of States The Hague as well as several offices in the field. Today, the Parties to the Statute reflects the ICC is a fully-functioning judicial institution focused on its confidence that States have in how core activities of investigating and conducting trials of the Court continues to achieve its individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity or objectives. war crimes. Preparations are ongoing for meetings The first situations were referred to the ICC in early 2004. that will take place at the seat of the Within the space of eighteen months, the Prosecutor opened Court in September. The Committee on investigations into alleged grave crimes in three different Budget and Finance will meet from 10 countries - Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to 18 September. The Registrar and the and Sudan (Darfur). A fourth investigation was opened this Prosecutor will hold non-governmental year in the Central African Republic. The judges have issued organisation briefings from 25 to 26 and eight arrest warrants in three different cases. Following the 27 to 28 September, respectively. execution of one of these warrants and the subsequent confirmation of charges by the judges of the Pre-Trial Chamber, the first trial will begin later this year. With more arrests will come more trials. Bruno Cathala, Registrar 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 Resignation of the Deputy Prosecutor for Investigations Continued from page 1 We have learned much about the prospects carry out certain key functions such as the countries, this review led to amendments and promise of the ICC in its so far very arrest and surrender of persons accused of or upgrades to existing legislation. These brief existence. The ICC operates in committing crimes, the relocation of countries are now in a better position circumstances unlike those faced by any witnesses and the enforcement of sentences. to investigate and prosecute these crimes previous international court or tribunal. It The first years of the ICC have highlighted themselves. This is important because is active in situations of ongoing conflict the importance of co-operation in different the ICC is a court of last resort. The where crimes continue to be committed. regards. Warrants of arrest have been primary responsibility to investigate serious This presents significant challenges in outstanding since 2005. Ensuring the international crimes, like all crimes, belongs terms of investigations, security, outreach necessary co-operation will be a primary to states. The ICC will only ever act and logistics, all of which underscore the challenge for the ICC and for the States when national jurisdictions are unwilling or importance of international co-operation to Parties in the years to come. unable genuinely to investigate crimes the ICC. At the same time, it is precisely within its jurisdiction. because the ICC operates in situations where The ICC has had a significant early positive crimes are ongoing that it is today being impact going beyond its investigations The entry into force of the Rome Statute credited with having a shorter term impact in and prosecutions. Following the adoption and the initial development of the ICC preventing crimes than originally anticipated and entry into force of the Rome Statute, occurred much faster than was expected. - and not just a long-term deterrent effect many countries reviewed their domestic Our experience has clearly demonstrated as was once thought. legislation governing genocide, crimes that the success of the ICC depends critically against humanity and war crimes. In several on the co-operation received. The continued Achieving the aims of the Rome Statute strong support of states, international will be a collective effort. The ICC can organisations and civil society will be have a truly global reach through universal essential to maintaining and building on ratification of the Rome Statute. One- the momentum of the past five years. hundred-and-four countries have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute since it opened for signature in 1998. This is an unusually rapid pace for a treaty setting up an international organisation, especially one as complex as the ICC, and reflects both the clear need for the ICC and the confidence of States in the fairness and credibility of this new judicial institution. We nonetheless remain some distance from the objective of universality which is inherent in the Rome Statute. In all stages of its activities, the ICC relies on the co-operation of states and, by The President of the Court, extension, international organisations to President of the Court, Judge Philippe Kirsch © Hans Hordijk Judge Philippe Kirsch Resignation of the Deputy Prosecutor for Investigations On 14 June 2007, Mr Serge Brammertz, Mr Brammertz was elected Deputy Deputy Prosecutor for Investigations, Prosecutor for Investigations in September submitted his resignation from the 2003. The Prosecutor of the ICC, Mr Luis International Criminal Court (ICC). At Moreno-Ocampo, has expressed his the request of the United Nations gratitude to Mr Brammertz on behalf Secretary-General, Mr Brammertz will of the Office of the Prosecutor. continue to serve as the Commissioner of the United Nations International The ICC is grateful for Mr Brammertz's Independent Investigation Commission. contribution to the Court and wishes Mr Brammertz all the best in his The President of the ICC, Judge Philippe continuing service as Commissioner of the Kirsch, informed the President of the United Nations International Independent Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties, Investigation Commission. H.E. Bruno Stagno Ugarte, of Mr Brammertz's resignation. Mr Serge Brammertz © Reporters 2 Mr Lubanga appoints a new defence counsel and Trial Chamber I prepares the The OPCV provides assistance for all hearing agenda four situations at the ICC Mr Lubanga appoints a new defence counsel and Trial Chamber I prepares the hearing agenda at P-5 level, one legal advisor at P-4 level, two by Trial Chamber I as requiring early legal officers at P-2 level and one assistant determination will include inter alia, the date at P-1 level; it will also benefit from the renewal of the trial; the languages to be used in the of the €55,315 investigation budget and other proceedings; the e-Court protocol regarding measures to assist the work of the new team. the technical protocol for the submission of evidence in electronic form for use in the trial In order to facilitate the efficient preparation proceedings; the procedures to be adopted for of the Lubanga trial, and taking into instructing expert witnesses; the role of consideration the time necessary for the victims in the proceedings in the period new defence counsel to familiarise itself leading up to the commencement of the trial; with the case, the judges of Trial Chamber I the status before Trial Chamber I of the announced their decision on 18 July, 2007, to evidence heard by the Pre-Trial Chamber; and invite all parties and participants to submit the status of the decisions of the Pre-Trial their requests regarding issues requiring early Chamber in the trial proceedings.

Load more