Bundesrat President in Namibia

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Bundesrat President in Namibia

In the picture Bundesrat President Daniel GĂŒnther and President Dr. Hage Geingob – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.

13-18 July 2019, Republic of Namibia: Germany’s President of the National Council Daniel GĂŒnther, Premier of Schleswig-Holstein, was on an official visit to Namibia, was received the country’s head of state, President Hage Geingob at the Presidential Palace.

Their conversation was focused on investment opportunities for the German economy, and the framework conditions for them. Moreover the colonial past openly addressed by both sides as reported by President GĂŒnther.

Address by President GĂŒnther before the National Council of Namibia – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.

For a common future, the past must be clarified between the parties. Germany’s official position is that the country holds a moral responsibility for the suffering it brought to Namibia as a colonial power.

Other high-ranking representatives of Namibia met with President Daniel GĂŒnther during a visit to parliament, including: Deputy Parliament President Loide L. Kasingo and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

As a particular honour during his visit to Namibia, the President of the Federal Council, Daniel GĂŒnther, was the first foreign dignitary ever to address the National Council, Namibia’s upper parliamentary chamber. He stated relations with the equivalent of the Federal Council, and met its President Margaret Mensah-Williams. The National Council met for a special session on the occasion of GĂŒnther’s visit.

President GĂŒnther and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.

In his speech, President GĂŒnther once again touched on the common colonial history of the two countries. “The horrors that Germans perpetrated on the people of this country at the beginning of the 20th century – in particular on the Herero and Nama – remain unforgotten,” said GĂŒnther as per allocution’s transcription found below in the links. The consequences of the crimes of that time still have an effect today and Germany acknowledges this historical guilt. “Even though the term was only later backed by legal norms – the atrocities committed in the German name at that time were what would today be called genocide,” the President of the Bundesrat continued. 

On the same day GĂŒnther laid flowers on the Memorial Park Cemetery in the coastal town of Swakopmund. During the Herero and Nama uprising from 1904 to 1908, the German colonial power operated a prison camp there.

For further information:
Bundesrat: https://www.bundesrat.de/SharedDocs/texte/19/20190718-rueckblick-namibia.html
Speech of President GĂŒnther before the National Council of Namibia: https://www.bundesrat.de/SharedDocs/reden/DE/guenther-2018-19/20190716-rede-guenther-national-council-namibia.html?nn=4969076

Namibian Presidency: http://www.op.gov.na
National Council of Namibia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Council_(Namibia)
Embassy of Namibia to Germany (HE Andreas Banjamen Dawid Guibeb): http://www.namibia-botschaft.de

‘Petersburg Dialogue’ held in NRW

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‘Petersburg Dialogue’ held in NRW

In the picture Premier Laschet welcomes Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ambassador Sergej Netschajew – Picture by Land NRW, Uta Wagner.

18-19 July 2019, NRW, Germany: For the first time since its foundation, the ‘Petersburg Dialogue’, one of the most important events of German-Russian civil societal cooperation, takes place in North Rhine-Westphalia. 

Under this year’s theme “Cooperation as a Leitmotif for a Europe in Peace: Contributions from Civil Societies in Russia and Germany”, around 350 guests from all areas of German-Russian cooperation gather for the high-level conference held at Bonn and Königswinter. The two foreign ministers of the Federal Republic of Germany, Heiko Maas, and of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, attended the opening event on Thursday. After his arrival in Germany, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov initially met for bilateral talks with the Premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, at Hotel Petersberg near Bonn.

Together with the two co-chairs of the Petersburg Dialogue, Ronald Pofalla and Viktor Subkov, Premier Armin Laschet received the guests at the Petersberg and delivered a greeting. 

As per statement below Premier Armin Laschet remarked: “Following the 15th German-Russian City Twinning Conference, another of the largest and most important civil society cooperation events between Germany and Russia is now coming to North Rhine-Westphalia with the Petersburg Dialogue. This clearly shows that Germany’s cooperation with Russia is of great concern to us as a country in the heart of Europe. As a centre of competence for international politics, Bonn is an excellent location for the orientation of the Petersburg Dialogue”.

The ‘Petersburg Dialogue’was initiated in 2001 by then Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and President Vladimir Putin. Named after its first venue, St. Petersburg, it has since taken place in annual rotation in Germany and Russia. The aim of the St. Petersburg Dialogue is to intensify cooperation between Germany and Russia in all areas of civil society, to counteract prejudices in the perception of the other country and thus to give new impetus to German-Russian relations.

For further information:

Angelina Jolie Guerlain Ambassador

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Angelina Jolie Guerlain Ambassador

Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum Intense launched 

In the picture Laurent Boillot and Angelina Jolie – Image by Guerlain

8-9 July 2019, Paris, French Republic: Guerlain was honoured to welcome Brand Ambassador Angelina Jolie, the muse behind its Mon Guerlain fragrance. During her visit the Maison revealed the new Mon Guerlain campaign and celebrated, the upcoming launch of ‘Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum Intense’, set to go on the market for the end of August. 

Since 2017, Angelina Jolie has been the muse of Mon Guerlain, the Maison’s most recent feminine fragrance, created by the duo of Master Perfumer Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk, Guerlain’s Perfumer. On July 8th Guerlain President and CEO Laurent Boillot welcomed the actress for a press conference at the HĂŽtel de Crillon in Paris. During the event they unveiled the new Mon Guerlain film, shot by Emmanuel Lubezki at Angelina Jolie’s home in Cambodia.

Laurent Boillot and Angelina Jolie also announced a joint sustainable development project to protect bees in the Samlot area of northwestern Cambodia, working with local communities and drawing on the expertise of bee specialists that Guerlain has supported for over ten years.

After the press conference the actress visited the Guerlain Boutique at 68 avenue des Champs-ÉlysĂ©es.

For further information:
https://www.lvmh.com/news-documents/news/guerlain-reveals-new-mon-guerlain-campaign-and-celebrates-launch-of-mon-guerlain-eau-de-parfum-intense-with-angelina-jolie-in-paris/

Ambassador Abadi Opens Calligraphy Exhibit

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Ambassador Abadi Opens Calligraphy Exhibit

By Catherine Dailey.

His Excellency, Dr. Alireza Kazemi Abadi, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ambassador to the Netherlands, opened “Drawing Dreams”, an exhibition of Persian Calligraphy at the “Iran House ” on Wednesday, 17 July.

Ambassador Abadi warmly welcomed members of the diplomatic community, specially invited guests and other “friends of Iran,” who turned out in large numbers for the mid-summer event to admire numerous artworks by Azar Safari, Mahnaz Abedini and S. Kamal Mirkhalaf on display.

In the picture  Mahnaz Abedini 

During his brief introduction, he noted, that all of the calligraphic artworks being exhibited were created “locally” by Iranians and Dutch-Iranian artists residing in the Netherlands. He also mentioned that the exhibition is open through Monday, July 22nd and personally extended an invitation to his guests to invite family members and friends to pass by the “Iran House” to view the exhibition during the coming days.

Following H.E. Dr. Abadi’s welcome, Mr. M. K. Eshragh addressed the ambassador’s guests with a short history on the “Art of Calligraphy in Persia,” one of the nation’s oldest and most culturally significant forms of artistic expression. Calligraphy, in addition to being an artistic meaning put to paper, has been applied as a decorative element to architecture (mosques and shrines), metalwork, ceramics and, more recently, even textiles–both apparel and the decorative arts.

Eshragh specifically referenced the six major types of script, including the “Naskh”,  in the Aglam-i-Setteh (The Six Styles of Writing) which was first codified by Ibn-Mogleh Beidhavi Shirazi. He also briefly referred to the twelve major design principles employed by calligraphers to interpret the styles of calligraphic script. Centuries later, Mr. Eshragh explained, as Persian calligraphy continued to develop as an art form, Mir Ali Heravi Trabrizi combined Naskh and Tali, two of the major scripts, and creating the elegant cursive Nas’taligh style which is still preferred—even today.

Azar Safari followed Eshragh’s address with a presentation titled, “Persian Calligraphy, From Being a Mean to a Meaning.” She focused on the beauty of the form of the written word, in Persian Calligraphy, emphasizing that form often supercedes meaning as a source of inspiration for artistic expression. She further elaborated on the three mains methods employed by calligraphers in creating a work and introduced her audience to the calligraphic concepts of Deformation, Exaggeration and Stylization.

Ambassador Kazami Abadi and his family.

Calligrapher S. Kamal Mirkhalaf, who also serves as Counsellor to the Iran’s mission in the Netherlands, has been particularly inspired by his time in the the international city of justice and peace.  His work “Dream Lands,” a poetic conception of the beauty of two civilizations (Iran and the Netherlands) employs both the “Nas’taliq” and “Shekasteh Nas’taliq” styles, which he juxtaposed with a colorful painting evocative of a Dutch landscape in spring. “Dream Lands” received considerable attention and admiration from Ambassador Abadi’s guests as the theme was particularly fitting for the occasion. 

S. Kamal Mirkhalaf.

Mirkhalaf’s poem, equally inspired by both countries, is, in part, a tribute to the iconic “Peace Palace” and all that it represents to humankind. As such, “Dream Lands” incorporated a fascinating representation of the “Peace Palace” in an calligraphic, artistic and poetic form.

The ambassador’s program concluded with a short performance of traditional Iranian music, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. It was a beautiful summer evening and many guests lingered, exchanging pleasantries before the beautiful artworks on display.

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Photography by Catherine van Der Loos.

Chief of Staff Nicole Wilett at OSF

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Chief of Staff Nicole Wilett at OSF

In the picture George Soros.

Effective 20 August 2019, the Open Society Foundations’ (OSF) novel Chief of Staff shall be Nicole Wilett, in a newly created position. Wilett shall lead the foundations’ work on public policy and advocacy, and advise the president on new programmatic ideas and initiatives as per statement below. 

According to the OSF’s press release, Wilett has extensive experience in international democracy and governance, human rights, development, and security issues. She joins the OSF from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she worked as deputy director for programme advocacy and communications, leading global strategies promoting gender equality and improved family planning policies. 

Previously, she served as senior vice president for Africa at the Albright Stonebridge Group and a senior professional staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. She served twice as director for African Affairs at the National Security Council during the Obama administration, and was senior advisor and chief of staff at the U.S. Embassy in South Africa as part of her long tenure at the U.S. Department of State. 

Before joining the State Department, Wilett worked for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. She has an MPA from Indiana University, where she also concentrated in African studies, and a BA from Syracuse University in psychology and women’s studies.

Open Society Foundations (OSF) is an international grant-funding global network that was founded by Hungarian-born, US entrepreneur George Soros. It provides pecuniary support vis-Ă -vis civil society groups around the world, with a stated aim of advancing justice, education, public health and independent media inspired by the philosophy of the late Austro-British philosopher Sir Karl Popper, or rather his literary Ɠuvre ‘The Open Society and its Enemies’. 

For further information:
https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/newsroom/open-society-foundations-president-names-new-chief-of-staff?fbclid=IwAR1vAYDrU9gmqCA55W1YBRKtgRdFQmY9HSz6m5V6E44gCMYyiWfDvGZjxJg

Image by Jeff Ooi through Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic license – Wikipedia.

Online fraud exceeding €3 million halted in Ireland and Finland

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Online fraud exceeding €3 million halted in Ireland and Finland

The Hague, 18 July 2019

An organised crime group involved in extended online fraud and money laundering in several European countries was targeted by the Irish and Finish national authorities with Eurojust’s support.

A coordinated investigative and prosecutorial strategy was agreed at Eurojust, which enabled the speedy execution of mutual legal assistance requests between the countries concerned to advance their investigations, as well as the collection and exchange of evidence to ensure solid prosecution.

3 suspects were convicted in Finland for aggravated money laundering and forgery, with sentences of between 1 year and 2 years and 3 months. Another 9 suspects were arrested in Ireland. Five people were charged, one of whom pleaded guilty. The remaining four were remanded in custody pending trial. The estimated amount of the illegal proceeds laundered by the criminal group exceeds €3 million.

The members of the organised crime group (OCG) used fabricated online platforms to offer to unknowing customers non-existent goods, including luxury cars, tractors, expensive jewellery and watches, or services, such as accommodation.

To receive the online payments from the victims, the criminals created numerous bank accounts in Ireland and Finland, using forged documentation, inter alia identity cards, passports, working permits, rental contracts and utility bills. When the transactions were concluded, the suspects transferred the payments to other bank accounts and withdrew the money from cashpoints in various European countries.

Following several searches by the Garda SĂ­ochĂĄna (Ireland’s National Police Service) and the Finnish Border Guard and Police in both countries, a large number of items were seized, including fake documentation, equipment for document forgery, laptops and cash. Europol assisted the national authorities in the cross-checking of data and identification of the victims of the fraud.

The OCG members are suspected of participation in a criminal organisation, fraud, money laundering, forgery of documents and registration offences. The national investigations are ongoing. 

Mechanism Principals participate in “Stop Genocide and Holocaust Denial” conference in Sarajevo

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Mechanism Principals participate in “Stop Genocide and Holocaust Denial” conference in Sarajevo

In the picture Judge Carmel Agius.

The Principals of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), President, Judge Carmel Agius, Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz, and Registrar Olufemi Elias, participated last June in a conference entitled “Stop Genocide and Holocaust Denial” in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

All three Principals delivered keynote remarks as part of the conference opening session, which also included a video message from Mr. Adama Dieng, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide. 

The conference, was organised by the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide and The Mother’s Action of the Srebrenica Ćœepa Enclave. It was the fourth in a series of conferences dealing with various aspects of adjudicating and coming to terms with acts of genocide at the domestic and international level. Building on the work of the previous conferences, this year’s event focused on the theme of genocide denial, bringing together legal professionals, academics, representatives of the media and the non-governmental sector, as well as victims, witnesses and survivors of genocide, and others.   

During his keynote remarks President Agius condemned the recent acts of Republika Srpska in setting up commissions on the Srebrenica genocide and seeking to rewrite the history of those tragic events. The President outlined four ways to tackle denial and revisionism, emphasising the importance of bringing perpetrators of genocide to justice through international and domestic courts, enhancing the role of politicians and members of civil society in championing the truth, reforming the education system, and taking steps to criminalise the denial of genocide.  

He concluded by stating: “We must leave no stone unturned in our efforts to isolate the deniers. They will continue to lie but, in time, through our efforts they will be diminished. History is on the side of justice, and we will prevail.” 

Prosecutor Brammertz addressed the status of national prosecutions of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, the work of the Office of the Prosecutor in support of those efforts, and the ongoing challenge of denial and glorification of war criminals. He recalled that over the last several years he had reported to the United Nations Security Council about the alarming rise of denial and glorification.

He noted, “The uncomfortable truth is that the situation today is worse than in many years because very few within and outside the region have reacted and drawn a line.” Prosecutor Brammertz emphasised that the facts of the crimes committed were established by the ICTY and are beyond dispute. He concluded his remarks by saying: “This situation cannot be tolerated anymore. The denial of crimes and glorification of war criminals must be stopped. I firmly believe that today, there is no more important task ahead of us.”

Finally, in discussing the Mechanism’s role in preserving and protecting the legacy of the ICTY, Registrar Elias emphasised the importance of facilitating public access to the Tribunal’s legacy as one safeguard against the denial of genocide and other crimes. By underscoring the need to understand, respect and preserve the events of the past on the basis of established facts, he further noted: “Preserving this legacy also means having the responsibility to ensure that the findings contained in the thousands of pages of judgements, witness testimonies and evidence, are not lost to false narratives.” He concluded his remarks by stating: “Memory, aided by facts, established beyond reasonable doubt, accessible to everyone, is our best shield against denial and revisionism.”

As part of their visit to Sarajevo, the Principals of the Mechanism held a joint diplomatic briefing for members of the diplomatic community accredited to BiH and representatives of international organisations. During the briefing, which was attended by some 45 members of the diplomatic corps, the Principals provided an update on the Mechanism’s ongoing work and activities. 

President Agius presents his first Progress Report to UN Security Council

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President Agius presents his first Progress Report to UN Security Council

United Nations – International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

Arusha, The Hague, 17 July 2019– The President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), Judge Carmel Agius, today presented his first progress report to the United Nations Security Council (Council) since taking up office on 19 January 2019. In his address, President Agius highlighted the most notable aspects of the Mechanism’s work during the past six months. 

Regarding the Mechanism’s residual judicial workload, President Agius noted that the Appeal Judgement in the KaradĆŸić case was delivered on 20 March 2019 at the Mechanism’s Hague branch, stressing the timely conclusion of this significant case. President Agius updated the Council on the Mladić appeal case, which is expected to conclude by the end of 2020, and the solid progress made in the StaniĆĄić & Simatović re-trial, in which the Defence case commenced on 18 June 2019.  With regard to proceedings at the Arusha branch, the President informed the Council that the review hearing in the Ngirabatware case is anticipated to be held in September 2019. Further, the trial in the Turinabo et al. case against five persons accused of contempt of court is expected to start in October 2019. 

President Agius made a number of observations regarding the Mechanism’s responsibilities in the area of enforcement of sentences, emphasising that “justice does not end with the delivery of a judgement” and that “in order to have an enduring impact on international peace and justice, we must all remain committed not only to having trials and appeals and active judicial processes, but also to what comes afterwards.” The President called upon Member States to assist in relation to nine persons who were acquitted or released by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), and who currently remain in Arusha under the Mechanism’s responsibility as no State has yet been willing to accept them. President Agius highlighted that “these persons should be free to start a new life, having served their sentences or never been convicted in the first place”.   

President Agius was pleased to note that his address before the Council coincided with the Day of International Criminal Justice. While emphasising the important work undertaken by international courts and tribunals, the President stated that “international criminal justice is not the responsibility of courts alone” and that “all those who are committed to the rule of law have a vital part to play in the fight against impunity”. 

The President reiterated the need to stand firm against those who deny the legitimacy of the findings of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the ICTR and the Mechanism, particularly given the recent resurgence in genocide denial and revisionism. In his view, “[i]nternational criminal justice concerns us all, because justice is in the service of peace, and peace must be maintained on a daily basis”. 

In closing, President Agius expressed determination to do his “utmost to maximise the Mechanism’s ability to deliver meaningful justice and to fulfil all aspects of its mandate in an effective and efficient manner”, and his hope that Mechanism would continue to find support in the Council, as it has thus far.   

Following the President’s address, statements were made by Members of the Council as well as by representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Rwanda. 

Allocution du Procureur, Serge Brammertz, devant le Conseil de sĂ©curitĂ© de l’ONU

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Allocution du Procureur, Serge Brammertz, devant le Conseil de sĂ©curitĂ© de l’ONU

La Haye, 17 juillet 2019 – Le Procureur du MĂ©canisme international appelĂ© Ă  exercer les fonctions rĂ©siduelles des Tribunaux pĂ©naux (le « MĂ©canisme »), Serge Brammertz, a prononcĂ© aujourd’hui une allocution devant le Conseil de sĂ©curitĂ© de l’ONU. 

Il a commencĂ© par faire un point sur les quelques procĂšs en premiĂšre instance et en appel conduits devant le MĂ©canisme, Ă  savoir les appels dans les affaires KaradĆŸić et Mladić, le nouveau procĂšs dans l’affaire StaniĆĄić et Simatović et la mise en Ă©tat de l’affaire d’outrage Turinabo et consorts.

Au sujet de l’arrĂȘt rendu dans l’affaire KaradĆŸić, par lequel la Chambre d’appel du MĂ©canisme a confirmĂ© les dĂ©clarations de culpabilitĂ© prononcĂ©es en premiĂšre instance contre Radovan KaradĆŸić et alourdi sa peine en le condamnant Ă  l’emprisonnement Ă  vie, le Procureur a dĂ©clarĂ© : « Cette affaire dĂ©montre avec force que si la communautĂ© internationale reste dĂ©terminĂ©e, la justice peut l’emporter — et l’emportera. »

Le Procureur a ensuite informĂ© le Conseil de sĂ©curitĂ© de l’état d’avancement de la recherche des huit personnes mises en accusation par le Tribunal pĂ©nal international pour le Rwanda encore en fuite. Il a fait savoir au Conseil que, pendant la pĂ©riode Ă©coulĂ©e, son Bureau avait recueilli des renseignements crĂ©dibles sur les endroits oĂč plusieurs fugitifs se trouvent actuellement, et pris contact en consĂ©quence avec un certain nombre d’États Membres pour obtenir leur coopĂ©ration.

Il a cependant fait observer qu’un certain nombre de questions relevant de la coopĂ©ration des États contrariaient les efforts dĂ©ployĂ©s par son Bureau pour que les fugitifs soient arrĂȘtĂ©s. Le Procureur a soulignĂ© Ă  ce propos : « Cette annĂ©e a Ă©tĂ© celle de la 25e commĂ©moration du gĂ©nocide rwandais. Il est temps que les derniers fugitifs mis en accusation par le TPIR soient traduits en justice. Les victimes ont attendu bien trop longtemps. »

S’agissant des efforts dĂ©ployĂ©s Ă  l’échelle nationale au Rwanda et dans les pays issus de la Yougoslavie pour que justice soit rendue au plus grand nombre de victimes, le Procureur a signalĂ© que les autoritĂ©s rwandaises recherchent toujours plus de 500 fugitifs, tandis que dans les pays issus de la Yougoslavie, les juridictions nationales doivent encore traiter des milliers d’affaires. Faisant remarquer que, l’annĂ©e passĂ©e, son Bureau avait reçu 333 demandes d’assistance visant Ă  obtenir des Ă©lĂ©ments de preuve, soit plus que jamais auparavant, le Procureur a expliquĂ© : « Nos homologues nationaux s’accordent tous Ă  dire qu’ils ont besoin de davantage de soutien, d’assistance et de conseils pour mettre pleinement en Ɠuvre les stratĂ©gies nationales en matiĂšre de crimes de guerre. » 

Concernant la coopĂ©ration judiciaire rĂ©gionale entre les pays issus de la Yougoslavie, qui a pris une mauvaise direction ces derniĂšres annĂ©es, le Procureur a dĂ©clarĂ© : « Je suis heureux d’annoncer qu’avec le soutien de mon Bureau, les procureurs gĂ©nĂ©raux de la rĂ©gion sont convenus, Ă  la confĂ©rence qui s’est tenue rĂ©cemment Ă  Belgrade, que certaines affaires concernant des responsables de rang intermĂ©diaire seraient transfĂ©rĂ©es par les pays oĂč les crimes ont Ă©tĂ© commis Ă  ceux oĂč les suspects rĂ©sident actuellement. Les procureurs gĂ©nĂ©raux ont en outre demandĂ© Ă  mon Bureau de faciliter ce processus. »

Enfin, le Procureur a une nouvelle fois informé le Conseil de sécurité que la glorification des criminels de guerre et le déni des crimes persistaient au Rwanda et dans les pays issus de la Yougoslavie.

Au sujet du Rwanda, il a dĂ©clarĂ© : « Il est inacceptable de minimiser le nombre de morts et l’ampleur des destructions ou de mettre l’accent sur d’autres facteurs pour dĂ©tourner l’attention des faits relatifs au gĂ©nocide. » Pour ce qui est des pays issus de la Yougoslavie, il a insistĂ© sur le fait que « le dĂ©ni des crimes fait profondĂ©ment souffrir les victimes » et que « la glorification des criminels sanctionne les jeunes » en « les divisant au lieu de les rassembler ».

Il a dĂ©clarĂ© en conclusion : « En se cantonnant dans l’attentisme alors que les crimes Ă©taient commis au Rwanda et en ex Yougoslavie, la communautĂ© internationale a failli Ă  ses devoirs envers tous ceux qui ont Ă©tĂ© victimes de ces crimes. Nous ne pouvons pas y faillir de nouveau en nous abstenant maintenant de nous Ă©lever contre le dĂ©ni des crimes et la glorification des criminels. »

ICC marks 17 July, Day of International Criminal Justice

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ICC marks 17 July, Day of International Criminal Justice

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today marks 17 July, the Day of International Criminal Justice. On this day in 1998, the Rome Statute was adopted. The Rome Statute is the founding treaty of the ICC, which created the Court and the Trust Fund for Victims.

Marking the day, ICC President Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji stated: “There cannot be sustainable socio-economic development, where conflicts, atrocities and fear reign supreme. The fact that we have today a permanent International Criminal Court has changed the way the world looks at atrocities. The world expects accountability. Victims demand justice. The space for impunity for these atrocities is shrinking.” In this way, the ICC President linked the work of the Court to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG16): Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Several events are being hosted to mark the anniversary, particularly through the ICC’s country offices in Central African Republic, Cîte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, and Uganda.

The ICC President will deliver remarks at an event commemorating 17 July at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event, hosted by the Permanent Missions of Argentina, Ecuador, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Norway, Sierra Leone and Spain, as well as Parliamentarians for Global Action, will highlight the crucial role of international criminal justice in achieving SDG16.

These events and more are covered on the ICC’s social media platforms, which are also kicking off a year-long call for stories with the theme “My #journeytojustice”. Participants can submit selfie-style video stories of under one minute by using the #journeytojustice hashtag or emailing PublicAffairs.Unit@icc-cpi.int.

Starting today, stories from the ICC President, Prosecutor and Registrar, among many others, will be featured on these platforms. The stories are personal accounts of how those participating in the campaign first became interested in matters of justice, why, and where that led them to this day.

17 July unites all those who support ending impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern through the due process of law, promoting victims’ rights, and contributing to the prevention of such crimes.

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