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ICC News |
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Chile to be 109th State Party to Rome Statute: On June 29, 2009 Chile deposited its instrument of ratification to the Rome Statute with the treaty's depository, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Chile will become the 109th State Party to the Rome Statute, and the 24th from Latin America and the Caribbean, on September 1, 2009. Chile signed the Rome Statute on September 11, 1998. Click here for a complete list of signatories and States Parties.
ICC confirms changes against former DRC VP for atrocities in Central African Republic: On June 15, 2009 Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed five counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes against Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, former vice president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Chamber confirmed charges of rape and torture allegedly committed in the Central African Republic (CAR) but declined to confirm charges of torture and outrages upon personal dignity. This follows a confirmation of charges hearing in January 2009 and a March 4 request to the Prosecutor to submit amended charges. Click here to read the decision.
ICC Prosecutor reports to Security Council on Darfur: On June 5, 2009 ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo presented his semi-annual report to the UN Security Council pursuant to its referral of the situation in Darfur to the ICC in 2005. The Prosecutor in his statement called for the arrest of Omar Al Bashir, president of Sudan, for whom the Court has issued an arrest warrant, and other named suspects. He also announced that he will not open any additional cases in the next six months. Click here to read previous reports and statements.
First Darfur suspect, rebel Abu Garda, arrives at ICC: On May 17, 2009 Zaghawa rebel leader Bahr Idriss Abu Garda arrived at the ICC in The Hague in response to a sealed summons to appear issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I on May 7. Abu Garda appeared voluntarily and has stated that he is not guilty. The Court scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing for October 12. ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo presented evidence to Pre-Trial Chamber I on November 20, 2008 charging rebel commanders in Darfur for crimes against African Union peacekeepers. The names of two other suspects have not been disclosed. According to the Prosecutor, 12 peacekeepers were killed and 8 injured in a rebel attack on the Haskanita camp in September 2007. Click here to read AMICC's factsheet on Abu Garda.
Nethercutt provision excluded from 2009 spending bill, ending ESF cut-offs, the last of anti-ICC sanctions: On March 11, 2009 President Obama signed into law HR 1105, now Public Law No. 111-8, the annual omnibus appropriations bill. Previous versions of these appropriations bills have included the so-called "Nethercutt Amendment" which cut off Economic Support Funds (ESF) to nations unwilling to enter into Bilateral Immunity Agreements (BIAs) shielding US nationals from the ICC's jurisdiction. The last Nethercutt provision expired on September 30, 2008; military assistance sanctions under the American Servicemembers' Protection Act (ASPA) were repealed in 2006 and 2008. The military assistance and ESF sanctions had been subject to several presidential waivers, including most recently on January 16, 2009 by President Bush. Click here to read AMICC's analysis or to read more about US legislation on the ICC.
Five ICC judges sworn in; judges elect new presidency: On March 11, 2009 five judges made solemn undertakings and began non-renewable nine year judicial terms: Ms. Joyce Aluoch of Kenya; Ms. Sanji Mmasenono Monageng of Botswana; Ms. Fumiko Saiga of Japan; Mr. Cuno Tarfusser of Italy; and Ms. Christine Van Den Wyngaert of Belgium. The ICC's 108-member governing body, the Assembly of States Parties, elected the judges at a January 2009 meeting in New York. At the first plenary of the newly composed judiciary, the judges elected for three year terms Judge Sang-hyun Song of the Republic of Korea as President of the Court; Judge Fatoumata Dembele Diarra of Mali as First Vice-President, and Judge Hans-Peter Kaul of Germany as Second Vice-President.
ICC issues arrest warrant for Bashir, Sudan's president: On March 4, 2009 the ICC announced that the judges of Pre-Trial Chamber I had issued an arrest warrant for Omar Al Bashir, president of Sudan, on seven charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, extermination and rape. It is the first time that the ICC has issued a warrant for a sitting head of state. ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo filed an application for an arrest warrant on July 14, 2009 which alleged that President Bashir committed genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes by targeting and seeking to destroy the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups in Darfur by deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the groups’ destruction. Click here to read AMICC's fact sheet on the Bashir warrant and the documents issued by the ICC, including the Pre-Trial Chamber's decision.
Obama's UN envoy praises work of ICC, signaling shift: On January 29, 2009 Susan E. Rice, US Ambassador to the United Nations, signaled a shift from the Bush approach to the ICC by raising it in her first appearance in the Security Council. In her statement, she said that that ICC "looks to become an important and credible instrument for trying to hold accountable the senior leadership responsible for atrocities committed in the Congo, Uganda, and Darfur." Click here to learn more about the new administration's approach to the ICC.
ICC opens Lubanga case as landmark first trial: On January 26, 2009 the ICC opened the trial, its first, of the case of The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. In the opening hearing, Mr. Lubanga pleaded not guilty to three war crimes charges of enlisting and concripting child soldiers. The trial had been delayed due to trial preparations and a failure of the Prosecutor to disclose to the defense evidence which may show Mr. Lubanga's innocence. The Chamber lifted the stay it had imposed in July 2008 after the Prosecutor was able to release all of the documents to the defense. Mr. Lubanga is the alleged leader of the Union des Patriotes Congolais (UPC) militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed the charges against him in January 2007. Click here to see the hearing schedule and the webcast. To read daily summaries of the trial, visit LubangaTrial.org.
Clinton pledges to "end hostility towards the ICC": In response to written questions by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that "we will end hostility to towards the ICC, and look for opportunities to encourage effective ICC action in ways that promote US interests by bringing war criminals to justice." Click here to read Secretary Clinton's responses on the ICC (pp. 65-66).
ICC judges confirm charges against joined DRC cases: On September 26, 2008 Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed charges in the case of The Prosecutor v. Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui. In its decision, the Chamber found sufficient evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during and after an attack on the village of Bogoro in the Ituri region in 2003 in order to bring the suspects to trial, though it declined to confirm all of the charges. PTC I joined the cases on March 10, 2008 and held a confirmation hearing from June 27 to July 16. The case has been referred to Trial Chamber II which set a trial date of September 24. Click here to read AMICC's case summary and an OTP fact sheet.
Americans voice support for US membership in ICC: According to a September 2008 poll by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 68% of Americans believe that the United States should participate in the Rome Statute treaty agreement on the International Criminal Court to try individuals for war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity if their own country won't try them. Click here for more information about US public opinion on the ICC.
Major US parties' platform positions related to the ICC: The Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee adopted party platforms at their national conventions on August 25 and September 1, 2008. These platforms sketch out the parties’ policy positions and political agendas for the next four years, including ICC, foreign and Africa policies. Click here to read AMICC's summary of relevant sections as well as the Democratic and Republican plaforms.
US State Department considers ICC information request: On July 14, 2008 State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack acknowledged that "there has been a request for information from the ICC and we had pledged that we would look at that request." Click here for more information on US-ICC cooperation
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Local Action |
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Celebrate International Justice Day! July 17 marks 11 years since the creation of the ICC. Learn more about organizing a celebration in your community, including screening the documentary film The Reckoning which will be broadcast on PBS. Click here to read about AMICC-supported celebrations in 2008.
NM Medical Society resolution on Darfur and the ICC: On May 9, 2009 the New Mexico Medical Society passed a resolution on pain and suffering in Darfur and in support of the ICC.
ASIL Task Force urges positive US engagement with ICC: Click here to read the American Society of International Law Task Force's full report.
AMICC's letter to the LA Times: Click here to read Deputy Convener Matthew Heaphy's letter in response to its editorial "Judging the ICC".
Wide Angle features AMICC: Click here to read Convener John Washburn's comments on the ICC's first trial and the prospects for US membership in the Court.
New York City Bar issues a Statement to National Security Transition Team Regarding U.S. Engagement with the ICC.
ABA House of Delegates approves ICC resolution: On August 11, 2008 the policy-making body of the American Bar Association overwhelming passed a resolution calling for closer US cooperation and participation with the ICC. Earlier versions of the resolution were passed by the Section of International Law, an AMICC member, and the Criminal Justice Section in April 2008.
AMICC activist on Chicago Public Radio: Click here to listen to an interview on "US Involvement in the ICC" with Dan Thomann, Convener of the Chicago Alliance for the ICC, an AMICC alliance.
UNA-USA statement in support of ICC action: On July 25, AMICC member the United Nations Association of the USA issued a statement in support of the ICC Prosecutor's action on Darfur, including the recent arrest warrant request for the Sudanese President.
Union for Reform Judaism passes ICC resolution: At its 69th General Assembly in June 2008, the Union for Reform Judaism, which represents the largest Jewish religious movement in North America, adopted a Resolution on International Human Rights in support of the ICC and US ratification of the Rome Statute.
Work to support resolutions endorsing the ICC. Click here to view resolutions passed by organizations and governments around the US, including International Justice Day proclamations in Los Angeles and other cities.
Conduct a local poll on the ICC: Nationwide polls show strong American support for the ICC and US cooperation in Darfur. Help inspire local action by showing your community's support for the ICC.
Click here for a complete list of AMICC's members and observers as well as their statements and resolutions in support of the ICC.
Click here to view upcoming ICC events in your area.
Organize ICC-related events on days of remembrance and celebration: Click here for suggestions.
Find AMICC advocacy materials about the ICC. Click here to find updated materials on issues related to the Court, including victims' participation and defendants' due process rights.
Join an existing ICC alliance or start a new one: Click here to find out more.
Apply for an internship with AMICC. Click here to learn about the internship program and the UNA-USA application procedure.
Click here to order UNA-USA's educational video, "A Beacon in the Dark," which explains powerfully why US government opposition to the Court is unnecessary and violates America's most cherished beliefs and principles.
Darfur referral and arrest warrants provide breakthrough for US advocacy: Click here to learn more about the current investigation and the US position on Darfur.
Report on the ICC and the Responsibility to Protect: Click here to read the report of "The Responsibility to Protect and the International Criminal Court: America’s New Priorities" conference, which AMICC's Convener attended, presented by the Center for International Human Rights at Northwestern University School of Law and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Coalition.
Presbyterian Church (USA) reaffirms support for ICC: On November 12, 2007 AMICC member and US FENICC co-chair PCUSA issued a statement by its Stated Clerk voicing its support for the Court and its ongoing work. Click here to read PCUSA's press release.
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