Dear Friends and Colleagues of the CICC,

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court is preparing to celebrate 'International Justice Day' on 17 July in honor of the adoption of the Rome Statute - the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court which was agreed upon on 17 July 1998. The ICC is an important milestone for peace and security. The CICC feels justifiably proud of this achievement given that it would not have happened without the contribution and support of global civil society.

This year marks the 12th anniversary of this extraordinary achievement and presents an important opportunity to build awareness about the Court and the importance of international justice. As in previous years, the Coalition would like to encourage all of you to join our global efforts to mark this landmark occasion by organizing local events that call attention to the need for universal support for the International Criminal Court and the emerging system of international justice.

If you are planning or participating in an event in celebration of the Rome Statute, please let us know:

For Africa, Steve Lamony: [email protected]

For the Americas/Asia/Pacific, Michelle Reyes: [email protected]

For Middle East, North Africa and Europe: Ata Hindi: [email protected]

We have developed a model press release which you can find at: http://www.coalitionfortheicc.org/documents/Model_PR_17July2010_IJD_Final.pdf .

We would appreciate any photographs and local news coverage of the anniversary that you could forward to us by emailing Tania Deigni at: [email protected]

As we approach 17 July 2010, we will update you on member plans around the world, so please keep us informed of your own initiatives.

With best regards,
CICC Secretariat
http://www.coalitionfortheicc.org/