ICC President concludes official visit to Valencia, Spain

Today, 3 February 2017, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Silvia Fernández concluded a two-day official visit to Valencia, Spain, where she delivered a keynote address at the General Assembly of the International Criminal Bar (ICB). During her stay, Judge Fernández also received the highest distinction of the historic Court of Waters and met with the local authorities.

In her address to the General Assembly of the ICB, the ICC President highlighted the ICB’s fundamental contribution to consolidate the role of the defence at an international level. “Since its creation, the International Criminal Bar has made fundamental contributions to the independence and effectiveness of counsel before the International Criminal Court,” said President Fernández.

“Lawyers occupy a central role at the International Criminal Court, and are involved in every aspect of its functioning, notably as counsel for suspects, the accused and the victims. Hence, the independence and quality of our lawyers is of paramount importance for the Court,” she added.

On 2 February, President Fernández held meetings with authorities in Valencia, including the President of the Generalitat Valenciana Ximo Puig and the Mayor of Valencia, Joan Ribó. She also visited the Court of Waters (Tribunal de las Aguas), the oldest judicial institution in Europe, which is recognized on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. There she was honoured to receive the Court’s award entitled the “imposición de la Blusa y Medalla de Plata”.