Overview by Adina Nistor, Senior Research Associate PILPG-NL
Speakers:
Fatou Bensouda – Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
William R. Pace – Convenor of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court
Various civil society members
Highlights:
The chief Prosecutor addressed Russia’s withdrawal as a signatory state to the Rome Statute: Russia was not an ICC state member to begin with.
Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda stressed the fact that the Court is restricted by a lack of funding, which makes it impossible for the International Criminal Court to take on as many cases as it would want to.
During this meeting, the important role of civil societies play in shaping and helping to deliver international criminal justice was acknowledged. Certain NGO representatives expressed concern over the recent announcements of withdrawal issued by South Africa, Burundi and Gambia, but also Russia’s announcement that it withdraws as a signatory state of the Rome Statute. The Prosecutor underlined the fact that Russia is not a state member of the ICC. Nevertheless, its cooperation is necessary given its role in the Security Council, and in light of the recently opened situation in Georgia. Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda stressed the fact that the Court is restricted by a lack of funding, which makes it impossible for the International Criminal Court to take on as many cases as it would want to.