Left to right: ICC Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart , ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, Ambassador of Portugal H.E. Rosa Batoréu and ICC Registrar Herman von Hebel in front of the artwork ©ICC-CPI
Portuguese Ambassador and ICC President unveil artwork donation to International Criminal Court
H.E. Rosa Batoréu, Portuguese Ambassador to The Netherlands, together with Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), unveiled on 5 July 2017, an artwork donation from the Government of Portugal to the ICC. The ceremony was held at the seat of the Court in The Hague, The Netherlands, in the presence of ICC Registrar Herman von Hebel and ICC Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart.
The artwork is a Contemporary tile panel entitled Ilusório (Illusory) created by Portuguese ceramist Querubim Lapa in 2010. The artwork gives a three dimensional illusion that conveys an idea of unfinishedness, in connection with the difficult task of administering justice in a polymorphous world in constant change.
H.E. Rosa Batoréu explained that this panel was chosen because of its connection with the Court’s work, “with the notion that we should always bring to justice those who suffer injustice, even if that process can be very difficult and faced with tremendous obstacles.” “The International Criminal Court has done an extraordinary job in its 15 years of existence,” the Ambassador added.
Expressing the Court’s gratitude to the Government of Portugal for this donation, ICC President Fernández stated: “Ever since Portugal became a State Party to the Rome Statute, as one of its founding members, the country has played a key part in support of the ICC. The donation of this artwork is a further demonstration of Portugal’s unwavering support for the work, values and objectives of the Court.”
Since the move to its new permanent premises in December 2015, the ICC received artwork donations from the Governments of Belgium, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Senegal, Slovenia and Tunisia, representing their cultural heritage as well as reflecting the mandate of the Court.
