Director of the Prosecution Division of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor, Mr Fabricio Guariglia, and Head of the Forensic Science Section, Mr Eric Baccard, with the members of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Office. The Scientific Advisory Board of the Office of the Prosecutor holds its 5th annual meeting Late June, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court  held its 5^th annual meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Office, at the seat of the Court in The Hague, The Netherlands. The Board provides recommendations to the ICC Prosecutor, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, on the latest developments in new and emerging technologies, and scientific methods and procedures that can further reinforce the Office’s capabilities in the collection, management and analysis of scientific evidence relating to the investigation and prosecution of crimes listed in the Rome Statute. Adapting the Office’s investigative and prosecutorial capabilities and networks to the rapidly-changing scientific and technological environment in which it operates is a strategic goal set by the Prosecutor for the Office. In opening this year’s meeting, Professor Duarte Nuno Vieira thanked the Office of the Prosecutor for organising the annual gathering, as well as representatives of   organisations which are members of the Scientific Advisory Board, for attending in person or via video link. Professor Vieira highlighted that since its establishment in 2014, the Board has reviewed a variety of Standard Operating Procedures in support of the operational forensic investigative activities of the Office of the Prosecutor. Two additional Standard Operating Procedures were reviewed and discussed by the Board at this year’s event, relating to the use of remote sensing evidence and the collection and handling of medical information.  “Justice will only reach the highest level of effectiveness if it relies on the best scientific evidence”, said Professor Vieira. On behalf of the ICC Prosecutor, the Director of the Prosecution Division, Mr.  Fabricio Guariglia, expressed appreciation to the Board members for their commitment and important contribution to the work of the Office. He recalled the development of the Forensic Science Section, using the latest methods, techniques and accepted standards, as well as the instrumental role of the Board which has helped guide the Office in defining best practices for forensics in the context of international criminal investigations and prosecutions. Dr Eric Baccard, Head of the Office’s Forensic Science Section, and Executive Secretary of the Board, reported on the activities of the Office from the perspective of the use of scientific methods and related developments. He highlighted the continuous increase in the volume of requests received by the Forensic Science Section from the different prosecution teams and the various challenges met by its three units (respectively, the Forensic, Imagery, and Cyber Units) while simultaneously collecting and analysing scientific evidence. He further expressed his satisfaction and pride in the Office’s progress in this area since 2004. In addition to review of Standard Operating Procedures, other issues discussed during the annual meeting included, notably, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accreditation and expansion of the Board’s scientific support to the Office of the Prosecutor. The meeting also included presentations by three of the scientific member organisations of the Board. In her closing remarks, the Office’s Investigations Coordinator, Mrs. Cristina Ribeiro, reiterated the Prosecutor’s gratitude to the Board for their accomplishments to date and the importance of scientific evidence to the advancement of the goals of the Rome Statute. The following organizations were represented at the 5^th meeting of the Board:

1. Dr Djaja Surya Atmadja  (Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science);
2. Dr Einar Bjorgo  (UNOSAT / United Nations Institute for Training and Research);
3. Mr  Christopher Church (INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation), via video link from Singapore;
4. Prof James Curran (Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society);
5. Prof Niamh Nic  Daeid (INTERPOL International Forensic Science Managers Symposium);
6. Dr Johansen Oduor (African Society of Forensic Medicine);
7. Prof Claude Roux (International Association of Forensic Sciences);
8. Dr Marvin Salas Zúñiga (Academia Iberoamericana de Criminalistica y Estudios Forenses);
9. Prof Dina A. Shokry (Mediterranean Academy of Forensic Sciences, Arab Union of Forensics and Toxicology);
10. Mr Marco Tolli (EUROPOL European Cybercrime Centre EC3) ;
11. Prof Dr Duarte Nuno Vieira (International Academy of Legal Medicine,  European Council of Legal Medicine,  Ibero-american Network of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Science Institutions);
12. Dr Victor W. Weedn (World Association for Medical Law);
13. Dr Linzi Wilson–Wilde (International Forensic Strategic Alliance);
14. Mr Dariusz Zuba (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes), and
15. Observer: Dr Veronica Borrett (Scientific Advisory Board of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).

It is with great sadness that the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) has received the news of the passing of Mr Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, on 18 August 2018. Through his illustrious career and remarkable achievements, Mr. Annan made countless contributions to advancing peace, security and well-being of the world, including the fight against impunity for atrocity crimes. The Court recalls that Mr. Annan played a crucial role as Secretary General of the United Nations when the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, was adopted in Rome twenty years ago. “The establishment of the Court is a gift of hope to future generations, and a giant step forward in the march towards universal human rights and the rule of law”, he stated on that occasion. Mr. Annan remained a strong supporter of the ICC and of its mandate after the end of his mandate as Secretary General, both as Chair of The Elders and as founder and chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation. Mr. Annan’s passing is a profound loss, but his enduring legacy in the service of humanity must be celebrated and continue to inspire. The Court presents its sincere condolences to Mr. Annan’s bereaved family and all who are mourning at this time of sorrow.

On the picture, Colonel Sean Ryan,  Spokesperson for Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, U.S. Central Command. By Guido Lanfranchi. The Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve is currently preparing its next offensive against the remnants of the Islamic State in Syria, and in particular in the lower Euphrates River Valley. In the meanwhile, the Iraqi Security Forces continue to fight ISIS cells in the Iraqi territory.   On June 15^th, 2014, the United States, together with a wide array of international allies, decided to intervene militarily to counter the expansion of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) across the territories of Iraq and Syria. Today, more than four years later, the situation on the ground is radically changed, since ISIS has lost much of its territory and scores of fighters. “Yet, the Islamic State still controls some portions of territory in Syria, and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS is preparing to retake them” – the Coalition’s Spokesman Colonel Sean Ryan said in an international press teleconference. “In Syria, the Coalition – in close cooperation with the Syrian Democratic Forces – is currently conducting shaping operations to prepare for phase three of Operation Roundup. Such preparations – Colonel Ryan said – will pave the way for the defeat of ISIS in the lower Euphrates River Valley, and in particular of the area surrounding the city of Hajin.” The Coalition estimates a number of 1.000-1.500 fighters left in the lower Euphrates River Valley, and it expects them to “make a tough stand” against the upcoming offensive. Nevertheless, the Coalition’s Spokesman expressed confidence on the fact that the offensive will succeed in defeating ISIS in that area. While the coalition’s main focus is currently on the Syrian side of the border, Colonel Ryan also gave an update on the situation in Iraq. He praised the work of the Iraqi Security Forces, who are fighting to clear and protect Iraqi infrastructures, and have managed to arrest more than 50 suspected terrorists in the first week of August alone. “The Iraqi forces – Colonel Ryan stressed – are in charge of such operations, and no Coalition troops are deployed on the ground in Iraq.” The Coalition’s Spokesman also stressed the ongoing stabilization efforts carried out by the Coalition’s partners in Northeast Syria and Iraq. These efforts are focusing on improving the people’s living conditions and providing them with access to daily necessities, such as electricity and water. As part of ISIS success has often been attributed to the dire living conditions of the Iraqi and Syrian population, such stabilization efforts are aimed at preventing a comeback by ISIS, and more generally at reining in radicalization throughout the region. Talking about the Islamic State’s leadership, Colonel Ryan stated the several ISIS leaders already fled the battlefield. Moreover, he claimed that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ISIS top leader, has by now been rendered almost irrelevant, and he has been replaced by a new leader. Therefore, al-Baghdadi’s recent audio message calling for worldwide attacks is not among the Coalition’s priorities: the main focus is now instead on eliminating the remnants of ISIS in the region. Such a task will require different tactics than in the past – Colonel Ryan explained. While in the past the clashes at times involved house-to-house fighting, by now the scenario has changed, with the fighting taking place in desert areas, against scattered fighters hiding in tunnels. While the presence of IEDs and civilians will make the Coalition’s task more difficult, Colonel Ryan expressed the Coalition’s confidence that ISIS will be eventually defeated. Finally, the Coalition’s Spokesman also dealt with the international dimension of Operation Inherent Resolve. Asked about the relationship with Russia, he said that the Coalition and the Russian military, although not coordinating directly, have established a deconfliction zone in order to ensure their soldiers’ safety. Talking about Turkey, he stressed that the US-Turkish military cooperation is proceeding smoothly, in spite of recent political tensions. Currently, for instance, rehearsals are ongoing in order to prepare for joint patrols in the Syrian city of Manbij. In his concluding remarks, Colonel Ryan reminded that “the challenges ahead in Iraq and Syria are great,” and called on the international community to get involved in the fight against terrorism. “ISIS is an international problem. It requires an international solution.”  

 125th Anniversary celebrations of the Hague Conference on Private International Law In the afternoon of 12 September 2018, the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) will celebrate its 125th anniversary. The first session of the HCCH was officially opened on 12 September 1893. His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will honour the event with his presence. The HCCH is an intergovernmental Organisation – the oldest of all the many organisations based in The Hague. It works for the unification of private international law rules through the development of multilateral legal instruments (“Hague Conventions”). The HCCH focuses its work on international civil procedure and litigation, international family and child protection law, as well as international commercial and financial law. Today, the Organisation has established 38 Hague Conventions and other instruments, many of which are widely supported at the international level. The work of the HCCH has a direct impact on people’s lives and on the way businesses operate internationally. Some of the most widely ratified/acceded to Hague Conventions include the cross-border use of public documents (Apostille), international adoption and international parental child abduction. The Organisation counts 83 Members, including the European Union. In addition, 70 non-Member States are Party to one or more Hague Conventions. Thus, in total 152 States are connected to the work of the HCCH. The official ceremony to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the HCCH will be a high-level event with invitees representing States (Members and non-Members of the HCCH), Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Heads of International Organisations and other dignitaries.    

Mr. Ittiporn Boonpracong , President of Thailand’s Election Commission. By Roy Lie Atjam. The veteran diplomat Mr. Ittiporn Boonpracong  has been selected to become the next president of Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) and the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC). Mr. Ittiporn Boonpracong , had been Director of the Treaties and Legal Affairs Department at the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry. Up to the autumn of 2016, he had been Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Royal Thai Kingdom to the Netherlands. When I contacted Ambassador Ittiporn Boonpracong  about the new phase in his career he quipped  “big challenge, I will try my best as always. Hoping my bad sense of humour will not lead me to undesirable path”. No doubt, Ittiporn Boonpracong  meets the requirements to execute the function of President of the Election Commission. I wish him every success.