From 2 to 6 December 2019, States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Court officials, civil society representatives and human rights defenders, and other key stakeholders gathered in The Hague for the 18th annual session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP).
In addition to formal plenary sessions during which States discussed key issues and took crucial decisions regarding the functioning of the ICC. Also more than 50 side-events took place in the margins of ASP18, largely organized by civil society organisations in cooperation with like-minded governments.
The Coalition for the ICC organized four regionally-focused side-events to enhance the dialogue among States and civil society from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America & the Caribbean.
On 6 December 2019, Mr. Chino Obiagwu, Chair of the Nigerian national Coalition for the ICC, on behalf of the Coalition delivered the a statement, during the closure plenary session of the 18th Session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
On 11 December 2019, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II partially confirmed the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Mr. Yekatom and Mr. Ngaïssona, and committed them to trial before a Trial Chamber.
“The CAR National Coalition for the ICC calls on the ICC to take all necessary measures to ensure victims and witnesses are effectively protected, to allow their participation in the proceedings and provide an opportunity for truth-telling,” stated Mr. Bruno Hyacinthe GBIEGBA, Lawyer and Deputy Coordinator of the CAR National Coalition for the ICC.
On 26 November 2019, Kiribati acceded to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and will become the 123rd State Party to the treaty once the Statute enters into force on 1 February 2020. It will also become the 16th State Party among the Pacific island states.
The Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) - a global network of civil society organizations in 150 countries – welcomed Kiribati’s accession to the Rome Statute and stated this as a key step forward towards universality of the Rome Statute, and further representation of Pacific states within the ASP.
The Coalition is an independent civil society network fighting for global justice for grave crimes through the International Criminal Court and national courts. The Coalition does not endorse, promote or take a position on any ICC situations, investigations or prosecutions. Individual Coalition 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.
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