Crackdown on Fraudsters Targeting Cities and Municipalities

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Crackdown on Fraudsters Targeting Cities and Municipalities

The Hague, 26 September 2024

German and Italian authorities worked together with Eurojust and Europol to stop a fraudulent scheme. The suspects targeted public institutions, cities, and municipalities, and were able to cause damages of several million euros. On 24 September, an operation took place where technology and assets were seized and search warrants against five suspects were executed.

For over a year, suspects ran a fraudulent scheme in Germany that made them millions. Several public institutions, companies, cities, and municipalities were affected by the scheme. By using phishing techniques, the suspects gained access to real invoices that were addressed to public institutions and companies. The fraudsters manipulated them with their own financial information. The manipulated invoices were then sent to victims, who paid them to the fraudsters instead of their business partners.

Investigations into the scheme identified five suspects with Italian and German citizenship. As authorities needed to search properties in Germany and Italy, a cross-border case was opened at Eurojust. Coordination through Eurojust defined the strategy of the investigation between the German and Italian authorities. Authorities decided to execute simultaneous searches in the two countries to gather evidence of the fraud and seize assets that were gained through the fraudulent scheme. Europol provided continuous intelligence development to map out the different targets and their criminal activity.

On 24 September, search warrants against five suspects were executed in Germany and Italy and ten propereties were searched. During the operation, Europol activated a Virtual Command Post to provide support from its headquarters to the investigators on the field as they carried out their enforcement actions. Assets were provisionally secured, and cell phones, computers, and data storage devices were seized. Special Forces will now investigate the seized technology as the investigation continues.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Germany: Public Prosecution Office Leipzig – Central Cybercrime Office, Leipzig Criminal Investigation Department – Commissariat 33 (Cybercrime)
  • Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office Naples; Economic and Financial Police Units of the Guardia di Finanza Naples, Verona, Treviso and Bolzano

Eurojust supports major operation against Albanian drug-trafficking ring in Italy: 66 arrests

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Eurojust supports major operation against Albanian drug-trafficking ring in Italy: 66 arrests

The Hague, 26 September 2024

A large-scale cocaine-smuggling ring was dismantled by authorities in Italy, Albania, Poland and Switzerland, coordinated by Eurojust. During an action day, a total of 45 suspects were arrested, most of them in Italy. Prior to the action day, 21 suspects involved in the sale of cocaine in and around the city of Brescia were arrested. In total, 66 arrests were made. The Albanian-led organised crime group (OCG) had been selling cocaine from Latin America for at least four years, mainly in the north of Italy.

Eurojust set up a coordination centre this week to support and coordinate the actions of all authorities involved. During the investigations and the action day, for an estimated amount of EUR 4 million in cash was seized, as well as 360 kilograms of cocaine, luxury vehicles and watches, telecommunications equipment, arms and ammunition.

Investigations into the drug-smuggling network started in 2020 at the request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) of Brescia. The OCG used five warehouses and storage centres in and around Brescia to distribute the cocaine.

The suspects laundered their illegal profits via an extensive network of enterprises run by an Italian-Chinese organisation set up for this purpose, which supplied fake invoices with a total value of around EUR 375 million. The OCG members will be charged with the trafficking of illicit drugs, money laundering and investment fraud.

During this week’s action day, over 400 officers were deployed across Italy. To assist the authorities on the ground, Eurojust set up a coordination centre at its premises in The Hague and supported the execution of European Arrest Warrants and requests for Mutual Legal Assistance towards Albania and Switzerland. Europol facilitated the exchange of information between the involved countries and provided operational coordination as well as analytical support. On the action day, a Europol analyst with a mobile office was deployed to cross-check information on the spot in Italy.

The operations were carried out at the request of the PPO of Brescia via the following authorities:

  • Italy: PPO Brescia; Anti-Mafia District Directorate of the Guardia di Finanza – Provincial Command of Brescia; Central Investigation Service for Organised Crime (SCICO), Rome; International Police Cooperation Service Liaison Bureau, Tirana
  • Poland: PPO Warsaw; Central Police Bureau of Investigations
  • Albania: Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK); Albanian State Police
  • Switzerland: Office of Attorney-General; Federal Police (Fedpol)

Global Leaders and Advocates, Including Queen Mathilde and Prince Harry, Unite in New York to End Child Violence at UNGA Event

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Global Leaders and Advocates, Including Queen Mathilde and Prince Harry, Unite in New York to End Child Violence at UNGA Event

Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Forest Whitaker, UN Leaders, and Advocates Unite in New York to End Violence Against Children at UN General Assembly Event

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, along with UN agency heads and distinguished dignitaries, gathered in New York on September 22 to meet with survivors and advocates working to end violence against children. The event coincided with the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79).

Hosted by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and organized by Project Everyone, this intimate gathering featured testimonies from survivors and reflections from global leaders. Attendees included officials from Sweden, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Canada, Iceland, Brazil, and the UK.

The event took place just days after the release of an open letter (September 17, 2024) from survivors, advocates, and allies, urging world leaders to take swift action to end violence against children. This call to action precedes the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, to be held in Colombia this November.

Signatories of the open letter, including public figures Forest Whitaker, Shudu Musida, and Will Poulter, were present at the event, which reinforced the importance of immediate action.

According to the WHO, half of the world’s children—over 1 billion—experience violence annually. This violence takes many forms, including corporal punishment, bullying, online abuse, gang violence, child marriage, and child labor.

Experts highlight that breakthrough solutions are available, including parenting support, school-based programs, child-friendly health and social services, protective legislation, and safer online environments. Implementing these strategies has been shown to reduce violence against children by up to 50%.

Will Poulter, actor and ambassador for The Diana Award’s anti-bullying program, served as Master of Ceremonies and shared a poignant message: 

“Violence takes many forms—both physical and psychological—and each leaves a lasting impact. With one billion children experiencing violence worldwide, the numbers are staggering. But behind the statistics are real lives, and it’s our collective responsibility to protect these children.”

International Sport Law and Athletes’ Human Rights at Asser Institute

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International Sport Law and Athletes’ Human Rights at Asser Institute

Following the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Asser Institute, a renowned inter-university center for knowledge and research in private, public international, and European law, is set to host two significant conferences in October 2024, focusing on international sports law and athletes’ human rights.

October 23, 2024: Empowering athletes’ human rights 

On October 23, 2024, the newly launched Global Sport and Human Rights Research Network under the Asser Institute and Centre for Sport and Human Rights will host a conference together with the European Union-funded project Human Rights Empowered Through Athletes’ Rights (H.E.R.O.). This one-day event will engage in critical discussions on athletes’ rights, focusing on how to protect these rights and prevent violations within the sports industry.

October 24-25, 2024: International Sports Law Journal (ISLJ) Conference

On October 24 and 25, the Asser Institute will host the 2024 edition of the International Sports Law Journal (ISLJ) Conference. As the leading academic journal in transnational sports law and governance, the ISLJ provides a platform for international debates on the latest developments in the field.

Key Themes of the ISLJ Conference:

Drivers and Effects of Reform in Transnational Sports Governance
Transnational sports governance has faced continuous crises and reforms due to corruption scandals, human rights violations, and legal challenges. This year’s conference will critically examine the triggers and impacts of reforms in sports governance, from the creation of new bodies (e.g., the Athletics Integrity Unit) to the adoption of human rights commitments by organizations such as FIFA and the IOC.

Football and International Relations
Football, as a global sport, is increasingly intertwined with international relations, particularly in the context of sanctions, wars, and regional disputes. The conference will explore the role of FIFA and UEFA in navigating these political challenges while maintaining their stated neutrality, along with the legal processes that guide their decision-making.

Olympic Challenges
The legal questions surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympics remain, including the controversy over the hijab ban imposed by the French Federation and the debate on whether Olympians should be financially compensated by the IOC or the International Federations. Keynote speaker Prof. Jules Boykoff, a noted critic of the Olympic regime, will explore the IOC’s ability to adapt to modern challenges while preserving the existing model of Olympism.

Conference Participation

The conferences will be available for both in-person and virtual participation, allowing attendees from around the world to engage with the discussions.

Notable Speakers:

  • Ariel Dulitzky (University of Texas)
  • Burak Gemalmaz (Istanbul University)
  • Pedro José Mercado Jaén (European University Institute)
  • Cathérine Van de Graaf (University of Cologne)
  • Seamus Byrne (Manchester Metropolitan University)
  • Layckan van Gensen (Stellenbosch University)
  • Jules Boykoff (Pacific University, Oregon)
  • Brendan Schwab (Schwab Legal)
  • Katarina Pijetlovic (Catolica University)
  • Béatrice Martel (McGill University)
  • Marcus Mazzucco (University of Toronto)
  • Veronika Yefremova (Leiden University)
  • Sarah Carrick (Manchester Metropolitan University)
  • Miquel Aznar Company (Universitat de València)
  • Niyati Pandey (Gujarat National Law University)
  • Tarun Tarun (Gujarat National Law University)

Organizers:

Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz Meets with Officials of Montenegro

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Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz Meets with Officials of Montenegro

The Hague, 20 September 2024 – Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), visited the Republic of Montenegro from 16 to 19 September 2024, in preparation for his regular biannual report to the UN Security Council (UNSC).

During his visit, Prosecutor Brammertz held high-level meetings with the President of Montenegro, H.E. Jakov Milatović; Prime Minister, H.E. Milojko Spajić; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, Ervin Ibrahimović; Minister of European Integration, Maida Gorčević; Minister of Justice, Bojan Božović; Supreme State Prosecutor, Milorad Marković; and Special State Prosecutor, Vladimir Novović. He also met with the EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Johan Sattler, and other diplomatic representatives.

IRMCT Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz and Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović.

Prosecutor Brammertz commended Montenegro’s renewed focus on justice for war crimes, highlighting the government’s comprehensive approach, which reflects widespread political support. He also expressed satisfaction with the close cooperation between the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) and the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SSPO). Recognizing the high expectations for progress in investigations and prosecutions, Brammertz emphasized the need for increased resources for the SSPO, as outlined in Montenegro’s National War Crimes Strategy.

The OTP has supported the SSPO by reviewing its extensive evidence collection—comprising over ten million pages—and identifying Montenegrin nationals suspected of war crimes, including grave acts of sexual violence. This evidence has been analyzed and handed over to the SSPO, resulting in the establishment of a joint task force to advance investigations. One indictment has already been filed, and additional indictments are expected. Both offices agreed to continue their close cooperation on war crimes cases, with the OTP offering expert training and assistance.

IRMCT Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.

Montenegrin officials praised the strong partnership with the OTP and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving justice for war crimes committed during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. They welcomed the OTP’s assistance in strengthening Montenegro’s judicial processes and expressed a desire to further enhance cooperation as the country works toward EU accession.

Prosecutor Brammertz was updated on Montenegro’s progress, including the positive Interim Benchmark Assessment Report and the adoption of the National War Crimes Strategy. While significant progress has been made, the need for further action—especially in strengthening the rule of law—was emphasized. The strategy outlines essential steps, including bolstering the resources and capacity of the Special Prosecutor’s Office and Special Court. The OTP’s ongoing support will be crucial to ensuring successful implementation.

Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz at the the ‘Regional Conference of Prosecutors on War Crimes Cooperation’ in Podgorica, organized by UNDP & Montenegro’s Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office, with EU support.

One key development during the visit was the amendment of Montenegro’s Criminal Procedure Code to allow the admission of evidence from the OTP. Additional judicial reforms were discussed, with plans for the OTP to submit further proposals.

The discussions also addressed regional cooperation and reconciliation, with Prosecutor Brammertz commending Montenegro’s positive collaboration with other countries in the region, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina. He noted opportunities for enhanced cooperation with Croatia, which the OTP stands ready to support. Montenegrin officials reiterated their commitment to fostering good neighborly relations and promoting justice as a foundation for reconciliation, while countering denial and glorification of past crimes.

IRMCT Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz and Montenegrin Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković and Chief Special Prosecutor Vladimir Novović.

Earlier this month, Prosecutor Brammertz visited Croatia and Serbia, and he is scheduled to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina next week for further discussions on regional war crimes justice.

Prosecutor Brammertz will present his next report to the UN Security Council later this year.

Brammertz Calls for Renewed Cooperation on War Crimes in the Balkans

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Brammertz Calls for Renewed Cooperation on War Crimes in the Balkans

Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz urges for Renewed Regional Cooperation in War Crimes Prosecution at Western Balkans Conference

The Hague, 20 September 2024 — Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), participated in the annual conference of war crimes prosecutors from the Western Balkans, held in Podgorica, Montenegro, on 17-18 September.

Brammertz began by expressing gratitude to the European Union for its financial support of the conference, organized by the UNDP, and for backing the joint EU-IRMCT initiative aimed at bolstering war crimes justice in the region. He acknowledged the European Union’s critical role in combating impunity and fostering reconciliation.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first gathering of regional war crimes prosecutors in Palić, Serbia. Brammertz recalled that from the outset, it was clear that successful war crimes prosecution relied on robust regional cooperation. The key challenge has remained unchanged: many perpetrators live in countries different from where they committed their crimes and cannot be extradited. Prosecutors must, therefore, collaborate, share evidence, and transfer cases to ensure justice is served.

Reflecting on the past two decades, Brammertz lamented that initial optimism had not fully materialized. After some progress, cooperation regressed, hindered by political interference and government decisions that chilled prosecutorial efforts. In some cases, cooperation between countries is virtually non-existent, with trials in absentia and many perpetrators still evading justice.

Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz at the the ‘Regional Conference of Prosecutors on War Crimes Cooperation’ in Podgorica, organized by UNDP & Montenegro’s Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office, with EU support.

However, Brammertz pointed to recent positive developments, particularly among Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro. Prosecutors have begun exchanging evidence and transferring cases, including those involving senior and mid-level officials. Some governments have taken steps to ease tensions, such as Serbia’s decision to suspend the arrest of Bosnian citizens on war crimes charges.

Brammertz called on the assembled prosecutors to renew their commitment to cooperation. He highlighted the urgent need to address approximately 400 war crimes suspects identified by Bosnian prosecutors, most of whom reside in Croatia and Serbia. During his recent visits, Brammertz discussed this issue with senior officials from both countries, who agreed to process the transferred cases. He expressed confidence that the Croatian State Attorney’s Office and Serbia’s War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office would prioritize these cases and issue indictments where appropriate.

The annual conference, Brammertz emphasized, offers a valuable platform for war crimes prosecutors to update one another on their work, share experiences, and tackle common challenges, particularly regarding conflict-related sexual violence cases. Discussions this year focused on enhancing prosecutorial cooperation and improving the transfer of evidentiary materials.

In closing, Brammertz reminded his colleagues that victims and survivors have high expectations for justice. They are counting on the prosecutors to pursue accountability for those responsible for war crimes.

Following high-level meetings in Montenegro, Brammertz is set to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina next week to continue discussions on war crimes justice in the region. He will present his next report to the UN Security Council later this year.

Inaugurated “Indonesia House Amsterdam”

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Inaugurated “Indonesia House Amsterdam”

Amsterdam, 17 September 2024 – The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi, alongside the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Mayerfas, unveiled the signboard of the newly renovated building on Brachthuijzerstraat 4 Amsterdam, in a symbolic ceremony of the official inauguration of Indonesia House Amsterdam. It is the biggest and the most multifaceted Indonesia’s Promotion Centre in Europe.

The building once served as the Indonesian Consulate General Office since 1967 had been vacant for almost five decades following its closure in 1976. Ambassador Mayerfas took on the mission to restore the building after the Government of Indonesia in 2020 decided to make use of the building again.

Briefly halted by COVID, the renovation work began in July 2021 and was completed by the end of 2022. The building started operational in the beginning of 2023.

Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi at the opening of Indonesia House in Amsterdam.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi herself accorded the newly revived building its name ‘Indonesia House Amsterdam’, shortened as IHA. “Indonesia House Amsterdam must well represent the modern face of Indonesia, the best of Indonesia.” She further emphasized that the building would be the hub of economic and cultural promotion of Indonesia in the Netherlands.

On a blue marble inscription stone, Minister Retno wrote: The House is another ‘bridge’ connecting Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Europe.

During his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Mayerfas described that IHA, a five-storey building with a total area of more than 1,400 sqm, was by far the biggest and the most comprehensive Indonesia promotion centre overseas. Every floor is dedicated to a promotion platform that will benefit the people of Indonesia and strengthen the collaboration between the two people and the two countries. “Four years ago, this building was piles of old, worn bricks, and deserted. Now we can see it regain its life and have a promising and thriving future once again”.

H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi and Ambassador Mayerfas are taking part in a traditional Tumpeng ceremony, a customary element at official gatherings.

The Dutch Director-General for Culture and Media, Barbera Wolfensberger, commended the inauguration of Indonesia House Amsterdam and looked forward to the upcoming events at the house. More than 70 persons attended the inauguration ceremony.

Since 2023, IHA has hosted several events, such as the Trade, Tourism, and Investment (TTI) Forum, Indonesia-the Netherlands Start-up Dialogues, the Batak Ulos Exhibition, the Sustainable Batik Fashion Show, and many others. In the coming months, it will also proudly present several promotional events, among others Indonesia Spice Week Amsterdam and the First Indonesia Medical Wellness Tourism Expo.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno L.P. Marsudi admiring the batik designs exhibited at Indonesian House Amsterdam.

After the inauguration, Minister Retno also visited Sekolah Indonesia Den Haag (SIDH) located in Wassenaar to greet the students and teachers of the school. She claimed to be the first minister to visit the school. She further admitted that she has been deeply rooted and has a special connection with the Netherlands, in the past, present, and future.

Minister Retno underscored the crucial role of education in the success of a country. Her last message to the students was that there were two keys to success: study and hard work.

Indonesia House Amsterdam

Additionally. It was an enormous pleasure to see Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, a former Ambassador of Indonesia in The Hague again. Her stint as Foreign Minister will end soon and we congratulate her on her appointment as the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on water,  Bravo.

Ciconia Consort Presents Four Captivating Concert Programs Across the Netherlands

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Ciconia Consort Presents Four Captivating Concert Programs Across the Netherlands

This season, the renowned Ciconia Consort, The Hague’s String Orchestra, will present four exceptional concert programs at Nieuwe Kerk in The Hague and other exceptional venues across the Netherlands:

  • The Era of the Crystal Palace
  • Old Dutch Christmas
  • The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
  • Sunflowers and Lavender

Of particular interest to Diplomat Magazine readers are The Era of the Crystal Palace and The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which highlight significant cultural exchanges. Below are more details on these fascinating performances.

Ciconia Consort

The Era of the Crystal Palace – October 2024

This program evokes the Belle Époque era, an age of grand World Expos and a boundless belief in progress, with iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and London’s Crystal Palace symbolizing innovation. The 1889 Paris Exhibition left a profound mark on Western music, with composers like Debussy drawing inspiration from Javanese dance and gamelan music. Dutch-Indies composer Constant van de Wall masterfully adapted this Eastern gamelan style for string instruments.

George Antheil, known for his avant-garde techniques and use of sirens and airplane propellers, brings a modern romantic flair with his Serenade for String Orchestra, influenced by Prokofiev and jazz. The program features a beautiful harp solo in André Caplet’s Conte fantastique, performed by Alexandra Bidi, prizewinner of the 2023 International ARD Music Competition. The concert concludes with the stunning orchestration of Ravel’s String Quartet by Rudolph Barshai.

Performance Dates:

  • Wednesday, 2 October 2024 – 8:15 PM, Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
  • Saturday, 5 October 2024 – 8:00 PM, Theater Hanzehof, Zutphen
  • Thursday, 24 October 2024 – 8:15 PM, Oudshoornse Kerk, Alphen aan den Rijn
  • Saturday, 26 October 2024 – 8:15 PM, Nieuwe Kerk, The Hague
Ciconia Consort

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon – February/March 2025

Internationally acclaimed violinist Maria Milstein takes center stage in Arutiunian’s grand violin concerto during this musically poetic journey inspired by Alexander the Great and Marco Polo. The program, structured as a promenade with traditional Armenian music, transports audiences through desert landscapes, accompanied by vivid imagery of camel caravans.

The journey begins with Nino Rota’s gallant Concerto for Strings and travels to Constantinople with Gondol Şarkısı, a Eurasian piece composed by Sultan Abdülaziz. Azerbaijani composer Fikret Amirov, known for blending Persian-Arab folk music with symphonic elements, offers his Symphony for String Orchestra, dedicated to the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami. The program concludes in Beijing with Song of the Ch’in, a piece by contemporary Chinese-American composer Zhou Long.

Performance Dates:

  • Friday, 7 February 2025 – 8:15 PM, Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
  • Sunday, 9 February 2025 – 3:30 PM, Nieuwe Kerk, The Hague
  • Saturday, 15 February 2025 – 8:00 PM, Theater Hanzehof, Zutphen
  • Thursday, 27 March 2025 – 8:30 PM, De Vereeniging, Nijmegen
  • Saturday, 29 March 2025 – 8:15 PM, Willem Twee Toonzaal, Den Bosch

For more information and tickets, visit www.ciconiaconsort.nl.

Celebrating 75 Years of Israel-Netherlands Relations

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Celebrating 75 Years of Israel-Netherlands Relations

On September 3rd the Embassy of Israel marked 75 years of relations with the Netherlands with a reception in The Hague. Israeli Ambassador Modi Ephraim and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp both spoke at the event with warm words about the friendship between their countries.

Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp.

“We, both Dutch and Israelis alike, get to enjoy the many fruits of this warm friendship,” Ambassador Ephraim told the audience, which included politicians and ambassadors. “Trade continues to grow, and innovations advance to better our lives in many ways.”

Minister Veldkamp joined the remarks of the Israeli Ambassador, noting there are many fields where Israel and the Netherlands can cooperate.

The reception coincided with a visit of the Israeli Innovation Authority to the Netherlands.

Entrepreneurs, business people and politicians alike took the opportunity to discuss ways to work together – showing that the friendship between the two countries continues to prosper.

ICC holds Ninth Seminar

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ICC holds Ninth Seminar

On 16-18 September 2024, the Ninth Seminar on Cooperation with national focal points took place at the seat of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, The Netherlands. For three days, a number of officials and focal points from States where investigations are being conducted and other States playing a key role in cooperation met with Court officials and staff to discuss cooperation with the ICC and share good practices. Thirty-five representatives from twenty States were present, including representatives from six States not parties to the Rome Statute.

ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane stated: “The ICC has reached several significant milestones. The Court’s work has expanded to four different continents and about 20 countries. Cases have been brought against more than 50 persons, and that does not include arrest warrants issued under seal. […] This of course could only be accomplished with States’ cooperation which was done with your practical contribution. You are truly an asset for the Court and I hope that you also feel proud of the Court’s accomplishments.”

In welcoming the delegates, ICC Prosecutor Karim AA Khan KC said: “Focal points are the essential bridges between the ICC and States, I truly commend the critical role you play in unlocking issues, facilitating consultations before requests for assistance and following up on their implementation, as well as coordinating with relevant agencies within their respective countries, etc. This seminar is a concrete realization of the ever evolving and strengthening bond between the ICC and national jurisdictions. In our new policy on Complementarity and Cooperation we have resolved to further strengthen that bond, as we determinedly work together towards our common goal of fighting impunity for mass atrocities. Thank you for your partnership in this cause.”

ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler stated: “Cooperation is one of the core pillars that sustain our ability to deliver our mandate, but it also nurtures our system as your expertise and guidance strengthen the Court.”

States play an essential role in implementing the Court’s decisions, orders and requests, and States Parties often nominate a national focal point to coordinate and channel communications between national authorities and the Court. This week, the focal points discussed topics related to cooperation, shared practices good and found the best ways to move forward to continue ensuring effective and efficient cooperation between the focal points and the Court, with a view to continue the Court’s efforts in improving the efficiency of the ICC’s proceedings.

The seminar with focal points forms part of broader efforts to further advance cooperation with the ICC and enhance global support for the Court, in particular in countries where investigations are ongoing. The seminar was funded by the European Union.

The Court would like to avail this opportunity to thank all of the focal points for their exceptional dedication and hard work in supporting the ICC’s proceedings and for their participation in this seminar.

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