PAST EVENTS

Forum for Victims of Systemic Crimes in Africa

The Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), the Cairo Institute for Rights Studies (CIHRS), the Independent Medical Working Group (VRWG) will organise a 1.5 days regional meeting on victims and justice processes in Africa in the margin of the NGO Forum/ the 51 Human and Peoples’ Rights in April 2012. The main focus of the meeting is to bring together approximately 15-20 experts/ representatives of civil society from African countries to discuss and exchange on experiences of victims of systemic crimes in accessing justice at the national, (sub regional and international levels.

The meeting will provide a platform for lawyers, activists and others to exchange on experiences made and discuss strategies for the way forward. We expect that the meeting also serves as an opportunity for networking with a view to establishing a network of society groups and experts to ensure that victims’ rights are effectively protected at the national, regional and international levels.

Agenda (English)

Agenda (French)

13th - 14th April 2012

Banjul, The Gambia

Victims, Reparations and the ICC: Challenges and Opportunities

Victims’ Rights Working Group panel discussion during the 10th Session of the Assembly of States Parties in New York.

 - Program (English)

- Program (French)

13th December 2011

1:15 - 2:15 pm

Conference Room 2 (NLB), UN Building, New York

Reparations before the International Criminal Court: Issues and Challenges

- Flyer

RSVP to: L.i.Walpita@cdh.leidenuniv.nl by 2 May 2011

12th May 2011

The Peace Palace, The Hague, The Netherlands

Banda and Jerbo Case - confirmation of charges hearing set for 8 December 2010

Pre-Trial Chamber I considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain  and Saleh Mohammed Jerbo Jamus are criminally responsible as co-perpetrators or as indirect co-perpetrators for three war crimes under article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute. The three war crimes are: violence to life, in the form of murder, whether committed or attempted, intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, materials, units, and vehicles involved in a peacekeeping mission, and pillaging.The confirmation of charges hearing was initially scheduled to start on 22 November 2010. It was postponed to Wednesday, 8 December, 2010, in light of developments that have occurred in the composition of Chambers and of the Court schedule.

8th December 2010

The Hague

9th Assembly of States Parties

From 6 to 10 of December 2010, the 9^th Assembly of State Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the ICC will be held in New York, USA.

6th - 10th December 2010

New York, USA

Victims’ participation before the ICC: Why it is important, what has been and can be done to make it effective?

The Victims' Rights Working Group is holding  a side event at the 9th Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC on Victims Participation: why it is important and what has and can be done to make it more effective.

Flyer

6th December 2010

1h15 - 3h00 pm

New York, Conference Room B, North Lawn Building

Bemba case - trial to commence on 22 November 2010

On 21 October 2010 , Trial Chamber III set the date for the commencement of the trial in the case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo as Monday, 22 November, 2010, at 14:30 (The Hague local time). Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo is allegedly criminally responsible, as a person effectively acting as military commander, for two crimes against humanity (murder and rape) and three war crimes (murder, rape and pillaging), allegedly committed in the territory of the Central African Republic during the period from approximately 26 October, 2002, to 15 March, 2003.

22nd November 2010

The Hague

Banda and Jerbo Case –victims’ applications for participation deadline

The Chamber set 20 October 2010 as the deadline for receiving any new complete applications from victims wishing to participate in the confirmation of charges proceedings.

22nd October 2010

ICC-NGO Roundtable Bi-Annual Meetings

18th - 20th October 2010

The Hague

Impact of International Criminal Procedures on Domestic Criminal Procedures in Mass Atrocity Cases

THE DOMAC PROJECT is hosting a Conference on the Impact of International Criminal Procedures on Domestic Criminal Procedures in Mass Atrocity Cases at the University of Amsterdam.  The Conference is organized by DOMAC, in cooperation with the Project on International Courts and Tribunals (PICT) and the Amsterdam Center for International Law (ACIL).  The Conference is free and open to academics and practitioners in various fields, including international law and international relations.

More Information and registration: www.domac.is

30th September 2010 - 1st October 2010

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Human Rights and Conflict

The Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM), in close cooperation with other departments from Utrecht School of Law and the Centre for Conflict Studies, is organising a conference in honour of Professor Bas de Gaay Fortman. This conference will focus on the interaction between human rights and conflict, addressing three phases: human rights pre-conflict, in conflict, and post-conflict.

More Information: www.uu.nl/sim/events

9th - 10th September 2010

The Netherlands

Bemba Case – Status conference on new start of trial

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo is alleged to be criminally responsible for having effectively acted as a military commander within the meaning of article 28(a) of the Rome Statute for two crimes against humanity (murder and rape) and three war crimes (murder, rape and pillaging) allegedly committed on the territory of the Central African Republic during the period approximately between 26 October 2002 and 15 March 2003. His trial, which was set to start on 14 July 2010, was postponed due to a pending appeal in the case. A status conference will be held on 30 August 2010 to hear submissions on setting a new date for the trial.

30th August 2010

The Hague

Banda and Jerbo Case – Status conference scheduled

Pre-Trial Chamber I considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain  and Saleh Mohammed Jerbo Jamus are criminally responsible as co-perpetrators or as indirect co-perpetrators for three war crimes under article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute. The three war crimes are:  violence to life, in the form of murder, whether committed or attempted, intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, materials, units, and vehicles involved in a peacekeeping mission, and pillaging.

26th August 2010

The Hague

International Law Association Conference

The 74th Conference of the International Law Association will be hosted by the Netherlands Society of International Law to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The conference will be held in The Hague, city of Peace and Justice. The theme of this year's conference is: De iure humanitatis, Peace, Justice and International Law.

Contact Information: http://www.ila2010.org/

15th - 20th August 2010

The Hague

Opening of Bemba Case postponed until 14 July 2010

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo is alleged to be criminally responsible for having effectively acted as a military commander within the meaning of article 28(a) of the Rome Statute for two crimes against humanity (murder and rape) and three war crimes (murder, rape and pillaging) allegedly committed on the territory of the Central African Republic during the period approximately between 26 October 2002 and 15 March 2003.

14th July 2010

Civil Society Takes Stock of the Impact of ICC on Victims and Affected Communities

1st June 2010

Victoria Ball Room, Monyonyo Speke Resort, Uganda

Review Conference on the Rome Statute - 31 May to 11 June 2010

The first Review Conference on the Rome Statute will be held in Kampala, Uganda from 31 May to 11 June 2010. The Review Conference constitutes a special meeting of states parties to the ICC - distinct from the annual Assembly of States Parties (ASP) - to consider amendments to the Rome Statute and to take stock of its implementation and impact.

In Kampala, states parties will discuss the revision of Article 124 of the Rome Statute, the definition of the crime of aggression, the inclusion of the use of certain weapons as war crimes in the context of an armed conflict not of an international character.

The Review Conference will include stocktaking to consider the holistic success and impact of the Rome Statute to date with a particular focus on the impact of the Statute system on victims and affected communities, complentarity, cooperation and peace and justice.

The Review Conference will be a critical event for the more than 2500 NGO members advocating for a fair, effective and independent ICC.

Thursday 27 May

Programme for the Review Conference:

Friday 28 May

Programme for the Review Conference:

Saturday 29 May

Programme for the Review Conference:

Sunday 30 May

Programme for the Review Conference:

Monday 31 May

Programme for the Review Conference:

Launch of the People’s Space by UCICC and HURINET

Tuesday 1 June

Programme for the Review Conference:

Wednesday 2 June

Programme for the Review Conference:

Thursday 3 June

Programme for the Review Conference:

Friday 4 June

Programme for the Review Conference:

31st May 2010 - 11th June 2010

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Round-table Discussions: The International Criminal Court: 7 Years On

On Thursday 14 May, REDRESS and the Development Studies Institute of the London School of Economics will hold discussions in advance of the ICC Review Conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It will be chaired by Tim Allen (London School of Economics). The following subjects will be discussed:

9h45 – Amendments to the ICC Statute: The Crime of Aggression and further prohibited weapons under the definition of War Crimes

10h30 – ICC’s impact on Peace and Justice

11h30 – ICC’s Impact on Victims and Affected Communities

12h30 – Complementarity and Cooperation

If you want to attend it, please send an email to: Helen@redress.org

14th May 2010

Exhibition - "Rwanda: Past, Present, Future", Birmingham from 13 May

Supported by the Rwandan High Commission, the exhibition consists of 30 panels depicting life and events in Rwanda before, during and since the 1994 genocide. Each panel carrying around 100 words of text, the exhibition offers a brief introduction to Rwanda's recent history and the challenge that presents in a world where genocide and mass atrocities continue to occur. It also, however, highlights the immense strides Rwanda has taken as a nation since 1994, to rebuild, develop and create the potential for a stable and peaceful future.

The exhibition will remain at The Drum (see http://www.the-drum.org.uk) in Birmingham from 13 May - 10 July.

13th May 2010 - 10th July 2010

Launch of the Report on "The impact of the ICC on victims and affected communities"

On the 13 May 2010 Carla Ferstman, Director of REDRESS launched the VRWG report on "The impact of the ICC on victims and affected communities" in The Hague. This event was hosted by the Ambassador of Finland, at his residence. The report is presented to the resumed 8th Session of the Assembly of States Parties, New York 22-25 March 2010, as a contribution to the stocktaking exercise on "the impact of the Rome Statute system on victims and affected communities" from the perspective of victims, affected communities and civil society organisations working with them.

You can download the report at: http://www.vrwg.org/Publications/05/Stocktakingreport2010.pdf

13th May 2010

Play – “Ruined” by Lynn Nottage, Almeida Theatre

Set in a war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, the play centres around Mama Nadi who runs a bar and brothel, and explores the impact of conflict on women. Playwright Lynn Nottage, who once worked for Amnesty, was inspired by interviews conducted in Africa with Congo refugees.

If you want to know more about it:

http://www.almeida.co.uk/production_details/production_details.aspx?code=91

15th April 2010 - 5th June 2010

Opening of the Situation in the Republic of Kenya

On 31 March 2010, Pre-Trial Chamber II authorised the opening of an investigation in the Republic of Kenya. The Chamber examined the criteria for the authorisation pursuant to articles 15(3) and (4) and 53(1) of the Rome Statue and whether the requisite criteria have been met. The Chamber limited the scope of the investigation to crimes against humanity committed between 1 June 2005 and 26 November 2009 on the territory of the Republic of Kenya.

31st March 2010

Bemba Trial postponed to July 2010

On 8 March 2010, ICC Trial Chamber III postponed the opening of the trial against former DRC Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo to 5 July 2010, mainly because of a recent motion by the Defence challenging the admissibility of the case. Bemba is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the Central African Republic.

8th March 2010

VRWG Strategy Meeting in advance of the ICC Review Conference

2nd - 2nd March 2010

The Hague, The Netherlands

Abu Garda Case Not Ready For Trial

On 8 February 2010, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I declined to confirm charges of war crimes against alleged Darfur rebel leader Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, thereby not allowing his case to move forward to trial. Although judges insisted that the case was of sufficient gravity, the Chamber established that it lacked evidence that Abu Garda participated in the common plan to attack the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) at the Haskanita base in North Darfur, Sudan in September 2007. The Prosecution has sought leave to appeal the decision which was rejected on 23 April 2010 by the Pre-Trial Chamber I.

8th February 2010

The 8th Assembly of States Parties

From 18 to 26 November 2009, the eighth session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the ICC was held in The Hague, the Netherlands. States parties adopted the Court’s budget for 2010 and discussed a number of matters, including cooperation, victims and defence issues, and communications as well as preparations for the 2010 Review Conference, to name but a few. The Assembly of States Parties also elected Kuniko Ozaki (Japan) and Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi (Argentina) to serve as ICC judges for nine years. More than 200 NGOs attended as observers and contributed to the debate through advocacy meetings, regional lunches, two press conferences, statements in the plenary, and the submission of position papers from the Coalition's issue-based teams.

18th - 26th November 2009

IV International Meeting on Justice and Law 2008

IV International Meeting on Justice and Law 2008 (includes a module on the ICC) organised by the Tribunal Supremo Popular de la República de Cuba. For further information, contact Ortelio Juiz Prieto at dinfotsp@ceniai.inf.cu

21st - 23rd May 2008

The Trial in the Case of Mr Thomas Lubanga Dyilo

On 9 November 2007, Trial Chamber I set the beginning of the Thomas Lubanga Dyilo trial for 31 March 2008. On 29 January 2007, Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed the charges brought by the Prosecutor against Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, namely war crimes consisting of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 into the FPLC, the military wing of the Union des patriotes congolais (UPC), and using them to participate actively in hostilities in Ituri, from September 2002 to 13 August 2003.

31st March 2008

Sixth session of the ICC Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute

Delegates will elect three judges to replace those who have resigned prior to the end of their terms as well as six members of the Committee on Budget and Finance (CBF). In addition, state representatives will make recommendations on the nine shortlisted candidates to replace the current ICC Registrar whose term will expire next year.

30th November 2007 - 14th December 2007

United Nations Headquarters, New York

Panel Discussion on the Right to Defence & Equality of Arms before ICC

On the occasion of the Twelfth Anniversary of the International Bar Association (IBA)’s Human Rights Institute and the Fifth Anniversary of the entry into force of the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court, IBA is organising a Panel Discussion on the Right to Defence & Equality of Arms before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Contact Information: Marie-Pierre Olivier, IBA Hague Office: Email: marie.olivier@int-bar.org Phone: +31 (0)70-302 2827).

27th November 2007

4-6pm

Peace Palace Academy Hall, The Hague, the Netherlands Havana, Cuba

Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions

The first meeting of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. The Forum, jointly organized by HRU and Uganda Human Rights Commission, takes place within the People’s Forum and aims to bring together Human Rights Commissioners and Senior Officials from NHRIs across the Commonwealth. HRU envisages that the Forum will serve as a common platform for Commonwealth NHRIs to share experiences and build a common voice for the better national-level promotion and protection of human rights. At the Forum, a report of the Steering Committee will be discussed and considered and HRU also aims to launch a publication entitled: Comparative Study on the Mandates of National Human Rights Institutions across the Commonwealth.

19th - 20th November 2007

Kampala, Uganda

A day of workshops on the ICC and victims’ rights

A series of workshops with different human rights organisations.

16th November 2007

Beni, North Kivu

A day of workshops on the ICC and victims’ rights

The workshops brought together RADHIT, LIPADHO and REDRESS and were coordinated by LIPADHO. During the workshops victims’ rights and the problems and challenges faced, as well ICC priorities and objectives were discussed.

15th November 2007

Bunia, Republic of Congo

42nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights

In accordance with Article 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, States Parties to the Charter are required to submit every two years, a report on the legislative or other measures taken, with a view to giving effect to the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed by the Charter. www.achpr.org/english/_info/news_en.html

14th - 28th November 2007

Republic of Congo-Brazzaville

Challenges to International Humanitarian Law

Organised in cooperation with the Finnish Red Cross. It is intended to provide insights into new developments of, and challenges to, international humanitarian law. Issues such as child soldiers and genocide will be covered. Students, researchers, practitioners, IO/NGO personnel, and others interested in broadening their knowledge of international humanitarian law are encouraged to apply. For more information www.abo.fi/instut/imr/courses.htm

12th - 16th November 2007

Institute for Human Rights at Abo Akademi University

ICC & the State Conference

With Judge Adrian Fulford (Trial Chamber I, ICC), Mariana Goetz REDRESS and others. The conference brought together experts from the fields of law, politics and international relations as well as practitioners from the Court, civil society, states and the International Criminal Court Legal Tools Partners.

9th November 2007

Nottingham University, UK

Seminar on the ICC attended by religious leaders in the DRC

The seminar on the ICC co-organised by the National Coalition for ICC (CN-CPI) and the International Federation of Living Churches (FIDEV) brought together large numbers of Congolese religious leaders involved in the fight against impunity. The seminar aims to promote the mandate of the ICC, and provide a discussion forum on the role of the Church in promoting the reparative justice process.

1st - 3rd November 2007

The opening of a second case in the situation in Congo: Transfer of G. Katanga to the ICC

On 18 October 2007 the ICC made public the arrest warrant against Germain Katanga which was issued on 2 July 2007. On 17 October 2007, the Congolese authorities had surrendered and transferred Mr. Germain Katanga, a Congolese national and alleged commander of the Patriotic Resistance Force in Ituri (“FRPI”), to the ICC. The warrant of arrest for Mr. Katanga lists nine counts on the basis of his individual criminal responsibility, including crimes against humanity and war crimes.

18th October 2007