Monday, June 07, 2010

International Criminal Court: Review Conference of the Rome Statute opened in Kampala

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Former KRT prosecutor Robert Petit (L), David Cohen and Theary Seng met during the ICC meeting

International Criminal Court
Assembly of State Parties

Review Conference of the Rome Statute opened in Kampala

ICC-ASP-20100531-PR532


The Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened in Kampala, Uganda. Opening remarks were delivered by the President of the Assembly of States Parties, Ambassador Christian Wenaweser, the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and the ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song. Statements were also made by the ICC Prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan and the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Around 2000 representatives of States, non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations were present at the venue.

The Conference represents the first opportunity to consider amendments to the Rome Statute – the ICC’s founding treaty - and to take stock of its implementation and impact since it entered into force in 2002.

In his opening statement the President of the Assembly, Ambassador Christian Wenaweser, highlighted that today the ICC is a functioning judicial institution and that “there is no need for significant changes” to the Rome Statute. He added that the States have to “continue to strive for universality in the membership of the Court”. Furthermore, regarding the central topic in the review of the Statute, the crime of aggression, Ambassador Wenaweser stated that “the large task ahead of us consists of finding a solution, with the willingness to compromise from all of you, that assembles the largest possible political support”. He appealed to the States to approach “the discussions with an open mind”.

For the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, the Kampala Review Conference is an important opportunity, not only to take stock of the progress of the Court, but also to strengthen the collective determination that international crimes cannot go unpunished. He underlined that “the era of impunity is over. We are witnessing the birth of a new age of accountability”.

The ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song stressed that “without cooperation, there will be no arrests, victims and witnesses will not be protected, and proceedings will not be possible”. The ICC President stated that “without credible and fair domestic proceedings the impunity gap will grow large”. He hopes that this Conference “will serve not only to refresh and renew the spirit of Rome but also to chart a path for the future”.

The former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, Kofi Annan noted that even though the African Union had called upon its member States not to co-operate with the ICC, “it is not ‘Africa’ that is hostile to the Court” and further indicated that when he meets Africans from all walks of life “they demand justice: from their own courts if possible, from international courts if no credible alternative exists” and that as an African he was proud of the continent’s contribution to the ICC, exemplified by the fact that 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa were parties to the Rome Statute. He stated that Africa wants, needs and should continue to support the ICC.

The Conference that will last until 11 June offers an exceptional occasion for governments to help advance the global fight against impunity and to reinvigorate the system of international criminal justice.

Further information about the Review Conference can be found on the website of the International Criminal Court at:
http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ASP/ReviewConference/Review+Conference.htm.
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For additional information please contact Ms. Bettina Ambach at +256 787-700-942, email: Bettina@bettinaambach.de, or Ms. Suzan Khan at +256 787-105-832, email: suzan22@btinternet.com.

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PRESS ADVISORY

PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, H.E. Ambassador Christian Wenaweser, and the President of the International Criminal Court, H.E. Judge Sang-Hyun Song, will hold a press conference on Monday, 31 May, 2010 at 13:00 hours at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, Royal conference room.

[ ... ]

For additional information please contact Ms. Bettina Ambach at +256 787-700-942, email: Bettina@bettinaambach.de This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Ms. Estera Luteranova at +256 787-105-818, email: esterluteran@gmail.com

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"Innovative Approaches to Outreach" Panel

Sponsored by Open Society Justice Initiative and UC Berkeley Human Rights Center

Moderated by David Tolbert, President of International Center for Transitional Justice, former UN Secretary General Special Representative to Cambodia on ECCC matters

Tuesday, 1 June 2010, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Sheena Room
  • Patrick Vinck, UC Berkeley Human Rights Center
  • Binta Mansaray, Special Court for Sierra Leone
  • Theary Seng (Center for Justice & Reconciliation), David Cohen (UC Berkeley War Crimes Center), Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
  • Wanda Hall, Interactive Radio for Justice
  • Claudia Perdomo, ICC Outreach Unit
The panel presentation will be followed by an opportunity for discussion among the panelists and Q&A from the audience. Following the panel, there will be an informal discussion and demonstration with participation of Lewis Mudge from Interactive Radio for Justice, Matthew Robinson of Khmer Mekong Films, and representatives from No Peace Without Justice and Parliamentarians for Global Action.
Left to right: Theary Seng, David Cohen and David Tolbert

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www.coalitionfortheicc.org

Contact: Oriane Maillet,
Head of Communications, CICC
Tel 1: +31 (0) 646200670 (The Hague)
Tel 2: +256 78948613+ (Kampala: from 29 May)
Email: maillet@coalitionfortheicc.org

MEDIA ADVISORY
27 May 2010


CICC PRESS BRIEFING AT ICC REVIEW CONFERENCE

NGOs to Brief the Media on Key Issues At State at Landmark Kampala Event

WHAT: The Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) — a global network of civil society organizations in 150 countries advocating for a fair, effective and independent ICC — will brief members of the media on pressing issues to be debated at the Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to be held from 31 May to 11 June 2010 in Kampala, Uganda.

WHEN: 1 June 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Meera room. B building, Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, Kampala, Uganda

WHO: Panel participants will include:
  • Richard Dicker, Director, International Justice Program, Human Rights Watch
  • David Tolbert, President, International Center for Transitional Justice
  • Raul C Pangalangan, Law Professor and Representative of the Philippines Coalition for the ICC
  • Oby Nwankwo, Executive Director, Civil Resource Development and Documentation Center - Nigeria
  • William R. Pace, Convenor, Coalition for the International Criminal Court (Moderator)


Important notice: Journalists wishing to cover the Review Conference and attend the Coalition’s media briefing must submit an official letter of assignment and a completed accreditation form to the ASP Secretariat via email to: asp@icc-cpi.int or via fax to +31 70-381-5476. In addition, all journalists must submit a registration form to: asp@icc-cpi.int.

WHY: Next week, ICC states parties, observer states, international organizations, NGOs, and other participants will discuss proposed amendments to the Rome Statute - the ICC’s founding treaty - and take stock of its impact to date, making the Review Conference a critical milestone in the evolution of the new system of international justice created twelve years ago.

The CICC sees the Kampala conference as an opportunity for world leaders and the global community to openly recommit to the Rome Statute’s historic initiative to end impunity for the gravest crimes.

First, this historic gathering will help identify areas in which the Court’s positive impact can be further strengthened. Debates will focus on the impact of the Rome Statute on victims and affected communities, complementarity, cooperation, and peace and justice, issues truly central to the system’s fair, effective, and independent functioning.

Another key issue at stake will be the crime of aggression. Although aggression is listed in the Rome treaty as one of the four grave crimes over which the ICC has jurisdiction, agreement must still be reached on its definition, conditions for the ICC to exercise its jurisdiction, and ways to modify the treaty.

Parallel to official panels, the Coalition and its global membership will also help create further dialogue on the Rome system and ensure that the voices of civil society are truly heard through a number of debates and roundtables.
  • For more information on the Review Conference, including CICC’s press kit and agenda, visit: http://www.coalitionfortheicc.org/?mod=review
  • To view the Coalition’s picture gallery on the Review Conference, see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/coalitionforicc/sets/72157623985705464/
  • To receive daily updates on the Review Conference, e-mail: icc-info-subscribe@yahoogroups.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • To view an NGO agenda and the ‘People’s Space’ programme, visit : http://www.coalitionfortheicc.org/?mod=review#17
  • For more information on the Coalition’s work, see: http://www.coalitionfortheicc.org/documents/ID_brochure_web.pdf
Important notice: The Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), an independent NGO movement, is dedicated to the establishment of the International Criminal Court as a fair, effective, and independent international organization and improved access to justice for victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Coalition as a whole, and its secretariat, does not endorse or promote specific investigations or prosecutions or take a position on situations before the ICC. However, individual CICC members may endorse referrals, provide legal and other support on investigations, or develop partnerships with local and other organizations in the course of their efforts.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Theary,I was survivor as you,I want to tell all the International Judges,please enjoye with these documents.

(Hun Sen le nouvel homme fort du Cambodge,un ancien khmer rouge qui a fui le régime meutrier en 1977 que les vietnamiens qui ont rammené dans leurs bagages pour installer à la tête du Cambodge.)
......................................................
(Le drame Cambodgien reste toujours sans explication,car les khmers ne savent toujours pas quel en était exactement la cause.Ils ne peuvent pas distinguer entre les libérateurs et les agresseurs).

1:54 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." - Buddha

Extrait Sihanouk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42RpbMAeiO4

Culture Revolution - Public execution & Impact

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIrUHVFkm9A&feature=related

Cambodge : JEUX De la MORT De SIHANOUK CONTRE YUON

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=FR&hl=fr&v=sVLTFmWX4VE
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[Il soupire] Je ne sais pas si je vais me réincarner... ou alors je me réincarnerai en femme... [rire]... Vous savez, dans la tradition des dalaï-lamas, on peut même se réincarner avant sa mort.

Un de mes maîtres, Sakya Tchögyach Rimpoché, fut choisi par le 13e dalaï-lama comme la réincarnation de son propre maître, alors que ce dernier était encore vivant.

Les Chinois sont fous de rage quand je parle de nommer quelqu’un de mon vivant.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Theary & Robert Petit would make an excellent team in finding justice for Cambodian people. Very very positive people and unlike Chea Leang, a part disable and failing pork.