January 2020 - International Criminal Court Updates
BY: Rachel Grand, Junior Research Associate, PILPG-NL
January marks the beginning of the judicial year of the ICC. This month, the date was set for the Al Hassan trial, which will take place in the summer of 2020. The Prosecutor also issued statements on the situation in Guinea and Colombia.
AFRICA
Mali | Al Hassan Case: Trial to Open on 14 July, 2020
Trial Chamber X scheduled the opening of the trial of The Prosecutor v. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud for July 14, 2020. Additionally, it decided the Prosecution will present evidence on August 25, 2020. [January 6, 2020]
Guinea | Statement of ICC Prosecutor Regarding the Situation in Guinea
The Prosecutor said, the “construction of the new courtroom in Conakry is an important step towards holding long-awaited trial and to see justice done.” She went on to say that her office will continue to closely follow and support Guinea’s complementarity efforts. [January 23, 2020]
SOUTH AMERICA
Colombia | The Office of the Prosecutor Concludes Mission to Colombia
The Prosecutor conducted a mission to Colombia to engage in constructive discussions with Colombian authorities about the progress of national proceedings following the 2012 interim report on the situation. The assessment was aided by representatives from international organizations and members of civil society. [January 23, 2020]
ASIA
Palestine | Situation in Palestine: ICC Pre-Trial Chamber rules on Prosecutor’s request for an extension of the page limit
Due to the exceptional circumstances, Pre-Trial Chamber I granted the Prosecutor’s request for an extension of the page limit. However, they rejected the request pursuant to Article 19(3) for procedural reasons. [January 21, 2020]
ICC
International Criminal Court Marks Opening of the Judicial Year 2020
The opening of the judicial year began with a special session where the Secretary-General, the President of the Court, the Prosecutor, the Registrar, and the President of the International Criminal Court Bar Association spoke. It was followed by the Third Annual Judicial Seminar of the ICC. [January 23, 2020]
Merit-Based Nominations Key to Elect Most Qualified Judges
The period for states to nominate candidates for judicial appointment opened on January 6 and will run until March 30. [January 15, 2020]