Left to right: ICC judge Tomoko Akane, ICC judge Chang-ho Chung, Hague Project Peace and Justice Representative Ambassador Nora Stehouwer, ICC judge Raul Pangalangan, ICC judge Kimberly Prost and ICC Director of the Division of External Operations Christian Mahr discuss with students and young professionals from the Asia Pacific region on the theme “Enhancing the Contribution of International Justice for the Asia-Pacific Region” at the ICC on 12 July 2019 © ICC-CPI
On 12 July 2019, the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”) hosted the second Asia-Pacific Forum of The Hague at the seat of the Court in The Hague (The Netherlands), bringing together high-level officials and staff from the Court, and students and young professionals from the region. The event was co-organised by the ICC, The Hague Project Peace and Justice and the Chinese Initiative on International Law.
The event facilitated a dialogue on enhancing the contribution of international justice for the Asia-Pacific Region as well as victims’ perspectives and demands for justice in the region. Out of the 122 States Parties to the Rome Statute, 18 are Asia-Pacific States.
“It is important to continue to encourage more States in the Asia-Pacific to accede to the Rome Statute, as the region remains by far the least represented among the ICC’s States Parties. Awareness raising about the Court and its work is key to achieving this, and I am truly delighted to see so many young people attending today’s Forum with an interest to get more involved in international criminal justice,” said ICC Judge Chang-ho Chung.
The Asia-Pacific Forum of The Hague promotes the engagement of students and young professionals from the Asia Pacific region with international justice.
This Forum forms part of broader efforts to enhance global support for the Court and cooperation at the regional level. These have included the organization of or participation in high-level regional cooperation seminars and symposiums, technical events to enhance cooperation, and events with a focus on the legal profession.
