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CAR: Latest Statements; Trial Updates; News and Opinions; and Audiovisual Resources

04 Aug 2011

Dear all,

Please find below information about recent developments related to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation in the Central African Republic.

This message includes press releases issued by the ICC, the United Nations and members of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (I); trial updates (II); related news and opinions (III) and audiovisual resources (V).

Please take note of the Coalition's policy on situations before the ICC (below), which explicitly states that the CICC will not take a position on potential and current situations before the Court or situations under analysis. The Coalition, however, will continue to provide the most up-to-date information about the ICC.

With regards,

CICC Secretariat
www.coalitionfortheicc.org

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I. MEDIA STATEMENTS

A. ICC PRESS RELEASES

1. "The ICC Registrar concludes a three days mission in Central African Republic", ICC Press Release, 15 July 2011, ICC-CPI-20110715-PR699, http://www.icc-cpi.int/menus/icc/press and media/press releases/news and highlights/the icc registrar concludes a three days mission in central african republic

"Today, 15 July 2011, the Registrar of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Silvana Arbia, concluded a three days visit to the Central African Republic where she met with the Prime Minister, Faustin Archange Touadera, the Minister of Justice and Moral standards, Firmin Findiro, and the Minister of International Cooperation, Regional Integration, and the Francophonie, Dorothée Aimée Malenzapa. Several issues were discussed during these meeting including cooperation and complementarity between the ICC and national authorities. The ICC Registrar expressed the Court's gratitude for the continued support of the authorities in its activities in Central African Republic.

On the second day of her visit, Ms Arbia participated in an outreach session with women's groups in Sibut locality, were she also met with the local authorities to show appreciation for their crucial role in supporting the ICC's local activities. This is the first time that the Registrar led an interactive session with the communities most affected by crimes heard before the Court outside Bangui (capital of the Central African Republic). This session, organised by the Outreach Unit of the ICC, is part of the continued efforts to provide women's groups in Bangui and elsewhere in the country with access to information about the trial proceedings in the case of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo. The Registrar also held a meeting with representatives from national NGOs working in the fields of Human Rights, victims' rights and the protection of women. "The victims' rights for participation and reparation are recognized by the Rome Statute. They can not be effective unless known. We do our best to ensure that victims are aware of their rights before the ICC", she declared at this occasion.
Closing her visit to the Central African Republic, the ICC Registrar held a press conference with national media's representatives to invite them to report on the celebration of the International Criminal Justice Day on 17th of July and to answer their questions about ICC activities and recent developments at the Court.

As the Court's official channel of communication, the Registry has the primary responsibility for cooperation requests as well as for the ICC's public information and outreach activities. The Registry also ensures that the Court is properly serviced and develops effective mechanisms for assisting victims, witnesses and the defence in order to safeguard their rights under the Rome Statute.

The situation in CAR was referred to the Court by the Central African Government in December 2004. The ICC Prosecutor opened an investigation in May 2007. In the context of this situation, the trial in the case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo started on 22 November 2010. Trial Chamber III granted 1619 persons the status of victims authorised to participate in the proceeding."

2. "Trust Fund for Victims Launches Programmme in the Central African Republic", ICC-Trust Fund for Victims Press Release, ICC-TFV-20110616-PR685, 16 June 2011, http://www.icc-cpi.int/menus/icc/press and media/press releases/news and highlights/pr685?lan=en-GB

"Bangui, 1 June 2011 - The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV), which is linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC), has formally announced the launch of its activities in the Central African Republic (CAR).

During a five day visit to Bangui, Mr. Pieter de Baan, Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Trust Fund for Victims, presented the Trust Fund's purpose and ambitions, and clarified the call for expressions of interest in the CAR, published on 6 May 2011. He explained that the Trust Fund for Victims was created by the international community's desire to establish an unprecedented and independent instrument of reparative justice for victims of the gravest international crimes. The TFV is firmly associated to the ICC by way the Rome Statute, which they have in common. As such, the Trust Fund does not form part of the ICC; it is managed by an independent Board of Directors, all of whom are of high moral character.

According to Pieter de Baan "The main objective of the Trust Fund for Victims is to achieve 'justice and rehabilitation' for the most vulnerable victims of international crimes and to safeguard their dignity and hopes.
During his stay, Mr. de Baan, accompanied by Aude le Goff, regional program coordinator met the Minister of Justice, Mr. Firmin Findiro and the Minister of Public Health, Population and the fight against AIDS, Mr. Jean-Michele Mandaba. The TFV delegation also organized group meetings with representatives of the civil society in the CAR, including victims associations, as well as with representatives of international and national NGO's.

As a first step and as a part of its rehabilitation mandate, the action of the Trust Fund for Victims, in the whole territory of the Central African Republic, will benefit victims of sexual violence in as far as they are considered serious crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC and their families and communities. This priority, necessitated by the limited resources available to the Trust Fund, follows a need assessment carried out by the Trust Fund in 2009. This does not exclude that in the future, resources permitting, the Trust Fund will be in a position to engage with victims of other crimes relevant to the jurisdiction of the ICC in CAR.
In implementing its rehabilitation mandate in the CAR, the main approach by the TFV will be to partner with Central African organizations and with international organizations already established in CAR. The TFV readily invites them to work together to render holistic services of the highest quality relevant to the needs and expectations of victims of sexual violence classifiable as international crimes. The budget for this first TFV programme in the CAR is 600,000 euros. Each selected project should not exceed 150, 000 euros.

Interested parties possessing the required competencies have first been invited to propose project ideas. They should be able to demonstrate strong credibility with the target group of beneficiaries. In the second round, organisations preselected by the Trust Fund will be asked to develop the idea into a fully-fledged proposal, following a workshop that will be organized in Bangui in October 2011. The selection procedure will be rigorous, transparent, and equitable. The Board of Directors of the TFV will be asked to validate the selection done by the Secretariat of the Trust Fund.

The final choice can only be announced after the relevant Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC has assured itself that the proposed projects do not prejudice any issue on which the Court needs to deliberate, nor infringe upon the rights of the accused or the impartiality of the judicial process.
The projects in the CAR are scheduled to start in early 2012.
The second mandate of the TFV, regarding the implementation of Court ordered reparations against a condemned person, is not yet activated. Indeed, all cases before the Court are still ongoing, including that of Mr. Bemba."

3. "Central African Republic: VPRS holds training seminar for local intermediaries assisting victims." ICC press release, ICC-CPI-20110729-PR705, 29 July 2011, http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/5C8D807C-8FD1-47B6-B136-19F021889C8E.htm

"From 25 to 29 July 2011, the Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS) of the Registry of the International Criminal Court (ICC) held a training seminar in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), to build capacity amongst local intermediaries working with victims. The intermediaries are individuals residing in the CAR who have volunteered to assist victims in their community by giving them information about their rights before the Court and by helping them to access justice.
The training seminar followed on from initial training given to the intermediaries, and aimed at building the intermediaries' capacity to assist victims. The role of the intermediaries in contact with the VPRS is crucial in implementing victims' rights to be informed, to participate in proceedings via a legal representative and, potentially, to apply for reparation.

Members of human rights organisations and local associations, as well as teachers, lawyers and other professionals, took part in the seminar. They represented all the areas of the Central African Republic affected by the crimes being prosecuted before the ICC in relation to the CAR: Bangui, Damara, Sibut, Mongoumba, Bossembele, Bossemptele, Bozoum and Bossangoa.

One of the aims of the seminar was to build capacity in terms of methodology of working with victims and to raise awareness of good practice in interacting with them. Sessions were held on issues such as psychological support for victims, confidentiality and safety, and the various ethical issues facing intermediaries.

Laetitia Bonnet, the VPRS officer responsible for the Bangui office, closed the seminar by encouraging participants to "face the challenges of working with victims with determination and enthusiasm".

To date, 1619 victims have been authorised to participate, via their lawyers, in the proceedings in the Jean-Pierre Bemba case in the situation in the CAR. Victims wishing to file applications for participation must do so before 16 September 2011 by getting in contact with the ICC office in Bangui. After that date, only applications for reparation will be considered."

SEE ALSO:

4. "Closing of the regional academic seminar organised by the ICC in Kinshasa: working together for a sustainable partnership with universities" ICC Press release, 6 June 2011 http://www.icc-cpi.int/menus/icc/press and media/press releases/news and highlights/pr683?lan=en-GB

B. UN STATEMENTS

1. "UN Security Council press statement on Lord's Resistance Army" 21 July, http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sc10335.doc.htm

"The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Peter Wittig (Germany):

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the ongoing attacks carried out by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) across central Africa, which pose a continuing threat to regional security. They expressed their grave concern at the atrocities committed by the LRA, which have serious humanitarian consequences, including the displacement of over 380,000 people across the region. The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern that the Council's previous calls for the LRA to cease its attacks, halt the recruitment, abduction and use of children, and to release all women, children and non-combatants, have not been heeded. The members of the Security Council demanded an end to all attacks on civilians by the LRA, and urged all LRA elements to surrender and disarm.

The members of the Security Council commended the important efforts that are being undertaken by the militaries of the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of South Sudan and Uganda to address the threat posed by the LRA, and emphasized the importance of sustained coordinated action by these Governments to bring an end to the LRA problem. The members of the Security Council welcomed the leadership shown by the African Union in its recent initiative in proposing a range of activities, with a view to the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the threat posed by the LRA, which, beyond military operations also gives priority to the protection of civilians and demobilization, disarmament, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the information shared by Ambassador Téte António, the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, on the African Union's proposals for a regional task force, joint operations centre and joint coordination mechanism. They looked forward to further detail on these proposals from the African Union Commission as plans develop, and encouraged the Secretary-General to provide support to the African Union Commission through the planning process. The members also welcomed the decision by the African Union to appoint a Special Envoy on the issue of the LRA, and encouraged the early appointment of the Envoy.

The members of the Security Council underlined the primary responsibility of States in the region to protect civilians and noted the need to build capacities in this regard. The members of the Security Council noted at the same time the important role being played by United Nations peacekeeping missions in the region, and stressed the need for coordination amongst all those engaged in addressing the threat posed by the LRA. They underlined the need for all action against the LRA to be conducted in compliance with applicable international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law and the need to protect civilians. The members of the Security Council encouraged all United Nations presences in the LRA-affected region to further enhance information-sharing and coordination with all relevant actors and undertake more regional assessments and programming, particularly with regard to the humanitarian response and the protection of civilians. The members of the Security Council requested that the United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), in coordination with United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU), engage with the African Union and facilitate cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union on issues related to countering the threat posed by the LRA. They requested that the Secretary-General provide further information on the United Nations regional strategic approach to counter the impact of the LRA.

The members of the Security Council recalled the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants for four LRA leaders on charges of, among other things, war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and the enlistment of children through abduction, and encouraged all States to cooperate with the Ugandan authorities and the International Criminal Court in order to implement those warrants and to bring to justice those responsible for the atrocities. The members encouraged LRA fighters to leave the group's ranks and take advantage of offers of reintegration support. The members of the Security Council emphasized their support for continued efforts across the affected countries to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate former LRA fighters back into normal life. The members recalled the Council's statement of June 2006 (S/PRST/2006/28) and reaffirmed the vital importance of promoting justice and the rule of law, including respect for human rights, as an indispensable element for lasting peace.
The members of the Security Council requested that the Secretary-General keep them informed on developments in relation to the LRA, including through a report assessing the threat posed by the LRA, regional efforts to address that threat and its impact, and United Nations efforts in that context, to be submitted in October 2011."

SEE ALSO:

2. "UN France - Security Council - Children and Armed Conflict- Statement by Mr Gérard Araud, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations" Isria, 16 July 2011 http://www.isria.com/pages/16_July_2011_72.php

3. "Security Council Press Statement on Central African Republic" UN News, 7 July 2011, http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sc10313.doc.htm

4. "UN helping Central African Republic face 'serious' challenges" by Margaret Vogt, UN News, 7 July 2011
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38973&Cr=central+african+republic&Cr1

C. CICC MEMBERS QUOTED

1. "No End to LRA Killings and Abductions" HRW, 23 May 2011 http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/05/23/no-end-lra-killings-and-abductions

2. "Court Told Bemba Troops Infected Women With HIV" by Wairagala Wakabi, IWPR, 19 April 2011, http://iwpr.net/report-news/court-told-bemba-troops-infected-women-hiv

II.TRIAL UPDATES

1. "Can Bemba Run For Congolese President From His ICC Jail?" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 27 July 201, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/can-bemba-run-for-congolese-president-from-his-icc-jail/

2. "The doctrine of "command responsibility" in the Bemba case" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 25 July 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/the-doctrine-of-“command-responsibility”-in-the-bemba-case/

3. "Bemba fronted for Congolese presidency in November polls" by Wakabi Wairagala, for Bemba Trial Blog, 25 July 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/bemba-fronted-for-congolese-presidency-in-november-polls/

4. "Victims Participating in Bemba Trial Now Reach 1,600" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 14 July 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/victims-participating-in-bemba-trial-now-reach-1600/

5. "Bemba Trial on Recess Until Mid-August" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 13 July 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/bemba-trial-on-recess-until-mid-august/

6. "Q&A With ICC Deputy Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda: Part II" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 7 July 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/qa-with-icc-deputy-prosecutor-fatou-bensouda-part-ii/

7. "Bemba Trial Continues in Private Session" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 6 July 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/bemba-trial-continues-in-private-session-2/

8. "Q&A with ICC Deputy Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda: Part I" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 4 July 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/qa-with-icc-deputy-prosecutor-fatou-bensouda-part-i/

9. "Bemba Soldiers Occupied Magistrate's House, Left Behind Military Documents" - by Wakabi Wairagala, Bemba Trial Blog, 1 July 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/bemba-soldiers-occupied-magistrate’s-house-left-behind-military-documents/

10. "'Important Witness' Will Give All Testimony in Private Session", by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 1 July 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/07/‘important-witness’-will-give-all-testimony-in-private-session /

11. "Witness Unsure Whether Pillagers Were Bemba's Soldiers" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 29 June 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/06/witness-unsure-whether-pillagers-were-bemba’s-soldiers/

12. "Central African Soldiers Looked on as Bemba's Men Rampaged" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, June 28, 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/06/central-african-soldiers-looked-on-as-bemba’s-men-rampaged/3

13. "Witness Did Not Know What Bemba Told His Commander" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Trial Blog, 17 June 2011, http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/06/witness-did-not-know-what-bemba-told-his-commander

14. "Central African Judge Says Local Soldiers Brutalized Civilians," by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 10 May 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/05/central-african-judge-says-local-soldiers-brutalized-civilians/

15. "Bangui Judge Recounts Testimony by CAR Generals," by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 9 May 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/05/bangui-judge-recounts-testimony-by-car-generals/

16. "Why Central African judge let off Bemba but wanted Patassé charged" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 6 May 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/05/why-central-african-judge-let-off-bemba-but-wanted-patasse-charged/

17. "Central African judge did not find evidence implicating Bemba" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 5 May 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/05/central-african-judge-did-not-find-evidence-implicating-bemba/

18. "Bangui judge tells court why he dismissed charges against Bemba" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 4 May 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/05/bangui-judge-tells-court-why-he-dismissed-charges-against-bemba/

19. "Central African judge testifies in Bemba trial" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 3 May 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/05/central-african-judge-testifies-in-bemba-trial/

20. "Congolese raped Central African women for supporting rebels" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 14 April 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/04/congolese-raped-central-african-women-for-supporting-rebels/

21. "Expert: how Bemba soldiers used rape as a weapon of war" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 13 April 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/04/expert-how-bemba-soldiers-used-rape-as-a-weapon-of-war/

22. "Bemba prosecutors call expert on sexual violence as a weapon of war" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 12 April 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/04/bemba-prosecutors-call-expert-on-sexual-violence-as-a-weapon-of-war/

23. "Bangui prosecutor tells of testimony by CAR general" by Wakabi Wairagala for Bemba Blog, 11 April 2011
http://www.bembatrial.org/2011/04/bangui-prosecutor-tells-of-testimony-by-car-general/

III. RELATED NEWS AND OPINIONS

1. "What is your opinion of Jean-Pierre Bemba's candidacy at the presidential elections?" (« Comment jugez-vous la candidature de Jean-Pierre Bemba à la présidentielle congolaise ? ») - (Survey) Sondage de Jeune Afrique - 28 juillet 2011 http://www.jeuneafrique.com/sondage.php [FRENCH]

2. "UN team calls for end to use of children in conflict in Central African Republic" UN News Centre, 25 July 2011, http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39143&Cr=central+african+republic&Cr1=

3. "Jean-Pierre Bemba chosen as Movement for the Liberation of Congo presidential candidate for November elections" Newstime Africa, 24 July 2011, http://www.newstimeafrica.com/archives/21468

4. "UN slams LRA violence in Central Africa", News 24, 22 July 2011, http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/UN-slams-LRA-violence-in-Central-Africa-20110722

5. "War crimes accused declares DR Congo poll candidacy", AFP, 22 July 2011,
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ikqa_xW-AoZQ--xDOjztrFW9Kvsg?docId=CNG.987be94c4c3ccdfdf0d86cb5108c3d3b.6f1

6. "DRC : Jean-Pierre Bemba is running for presidency, from its ICC cell", Jeune Afrique, 22 July 2011
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20110722181336/#ixzz1SrZoLU6U [FRENCH]

7. "Central Africa: a trust fund from the ICC for the victims" Le Journal de Bangui, 17 June 2011, http://www.journaldebangui.com/article.php?aid=1394 [FRENCH]

8. "Bemba Trial: a witness on Damara kidnappings" Radio Ndeke Luka, 8 June 2011,
http://www.radiondekeluka.org/justice/item/4335-procès-bemba-un-temoin-dépose-sur-les-évènements [FRENCH]

9."The trust fund for victims (TFV) launches its activities in Central African" Xinhua, 3 June 2011, http://www.afriquinfos.com/articles/2011/6/3/brevesdafrique-179363.asp [FRENCH]

10. "Conflict in MLC, the ICC settles: "JP Bemba can make any legal act"" by Jean-Marie Nkambua, L'Avenir, 12 Mai 2011
http://www.groupelavenir.cd/spip.php?article40036 [FRENCH]

11. "Man deported in alleged cannibalism, war crimes case" by Stewart Bell, The National Post (Canada), 28 April 2011
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/04/28/man-deported-in-alleged-canabalism-war-crimes-case/

12. "Lawyers of Bemba trial on holidays at Bangui" Radio Ndeke Luka, 26 April 2011
http://www.radiondekeluka.org/justice/item/3964-des-avocats-du-procès-bemba-en-vacance-

13. "Tanzania: Psychiatrist Testifies on Consequences of Rape" Arusha Times (via All Africa), 24 April 2011, http://allafrica.com/stories/201104250516.html

14. "ICC: the first expert to condemn Bemba" by Jonas Eugène Kota, Forum des As, 21 April 2011, http://www.digitalcongo.net/article/75189

15. "Congolese Opposition Party Changes Leadership Before Elections" by Michael J. Kavanagh, Bloomberg, 19 April 2011
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-19/congolese-opposition-party-changes-leadership-before-elections.html

IV. AUDIOVISUAL RESOURCES

Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom

1. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 27 June - 1 July 2011[FRENCH]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEYUzGCrGFs

2. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 13-17 June 2011[FRENCH]
http://www.fileserver.icc-cpi.info/audio/110620_Bemba.mp3 (audio)
http://www.fileserver.icc-cpi.info/video/110620_Bemba.mp4 (vidéo)
3. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 6 - 10 June 2011[FRENCH]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aug4IZBR-Vs

4. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 3-10 June 2011[FRENCH]
http://www.fileserver.icc-cpi.info/audio/110613_Bemba.mp3 (audio)
http://www.fileserver.icc-cpi.info/video/110613_Bemba.mp4 (video)

5. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 30 May - 3 June 2011[FRENCH], http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HzRBIMyDDs

6. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 23-27 May 2011 [FRENCH]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pgi4BuDYY4

7. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 9-13 May 2011[FRENCH]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2TftegVT2I

8. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 2-6 May 2011[FRENCH]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNDF3CRH2x8&feature=relmfu

9. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 11-15 April 2011[FRENCH]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2GG5T93-YA&feature=relmfu

10. "Bemba Trial - In the Courtroom", ICC, 4-8 April 2011[FRENCH]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOTE0fhCrsU&feature=relmfu

Radio programmes

11. "The Registrar of the ICC meets communities affected by the examined crimes" Radio Ndeke Luka, 16 July 2011
http://www.radiondekeluka.org/justice/item/4679-le-greffier-de-la-cpi-rencontre-des-communautés-affectées-par-les-crimes-examinés [FRENCH]

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CICC's policy on the referral and prosecution of situations before the ICC:

The Coalition for the ICC is not an organ of the court. The CICC is an independent NGO movement dedicated to the establishment of the International Criminal Court as a fair, effective, and independent international organization. The Coalition will continue to provide the most up-to-date information about the ICC and to help coordinate global action to effectively implement the Rome Statute of the ICC. The Coalition will also endeavor to respond to basic queries and to raise awareness about the ICC's trigger mechanisms and procedures, as they develop. The Coalition as a whole, and its secretariat, do 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. Communications to the ICC can be sent to: ICC P.O. box 19519 2500 CM the Hague The Netherlands