Side Event – “Towards accountability for the war crime of starvation in internal armed conflict” (co-hosted by Switzerland and the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law & Armed Conflict))

Overview by Phedra Neel, Research Associate PILPG NL

This event focused on the pending amendment proposed by Switzerland to include the intentional starvation of the civilian population in the Rome Statute for non-international armed conflicts (NIAC) as this is currently only considered a crime under the Rome Statute for international armed conflicts (IAC).

The moderator, Elizabeth Wilmshurst of the Chatham House, announced to cover three topics, with the use of the panel members: Brian lander, Deputy Director of the World Food Program, Gonneke de Ridder, Deputy Head of Humanitarian Affairs, Department for Stability and Humanitarian Aid, Dapo Akando, Co-Director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict and Daniel Klingele, Deputy Director if the Directorate of International Law, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Switzerland. 

The first topic addressed was the relationship between hunger and armed conflict, especially in NIAC. Brian Lander explained that hunger has increased over the years, after decreasing for a while. Today, 812 million people are facing food insecurity and this insecurity is caused by armed conflicts. Armed conflicts changed over the years and have become more of an internal nature and more complex than ever. The conflicts cause more people to flee, which increases food insecurity and vulnerability and it takes longer to recover. The use of starvation as a means of warfare has also increased, as for example Syria so sadly shows. This change in warfare caused us to change how we deliver goods, we moved from ground suppliers to air suppliers which is more costly. 

Therefore, Brian Lander stated that it would make a difference if starvation during a NIAC would be defined as a crime. Addressing the ambiguity between IACs and NIACs is a good thing, increasing accountability is a good thing and increasing our ability to negotiate is a good thing. Reference to IHL and other legal regulations helps in these matters.

Ms. Wilmhurst asked the panelists to respond to opposing voices saying that there are already articles in the Rome Statute that could be used to prosecute the crime of starvation in a NIAC. Dapo Akanda, professor of Public International Law at Oxford University, responded that indeed technically speaking other articles could be used, but that these all include extra hurtles to overcome. For example, starvation can be part of a genocide, but then the special intent requirement needs to be established. The same goes for crimes against humanity where the need to establish a higher policy. Including a separate crime of starvation during a NIAC would eliminate these hurtles. 

Furthermore, making starvation a separate crime would increase the stigma to engage in starvation, making an analogy with sexual and gender based violence. In the end, the inclusion of a crime in the Rome Statute aims to prevent the crime from happening in the first place. A representative from the World Peace Foundation wanted to add that such a stigmatization is helpful in the recovering process for victims as well as this helps them to stop blaming themselves and recognize that they were victimized. Again the analogy was made with sexual and gender based violence.

This crime would find its basis in customary international law, as is shown by the International Committee of the Red Cross’s database on customary international law. This is especially of importance when knowing that these regulations would also apply to UN Security Council referrals.

The second topic discussed concerned the concrete steps that need to be taken to include the crime of starvation in the Rome Statute. Mr. Klingele explained that the proposal has been presented in April and that they are encouraged by the positive reactions and support. Some states however expressed concerns that there are already too many amendments to the Rome Statute. Thus, further in-depth discussion is needed and will continue next year.

Lastly, the parallel initiative in the UN Security Council was discussed. Gonneke de Ridder explained that the Netherlands, in preparation for their seat in the UNSC has drafted Resolution 2417, which was eventually adopted unanimously. This Resolution had three important goals: to affirm the link between conflict and hunger (which was surprisingly hard to agree upon), to call for action on IHL violations, and to underline the importance of safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid relievers and lastly, to condemn those responsible for the use of starvation and to call for accountability.

Side Event – “Launch of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor’s report on Preliminary Examination Activities 2018”

(co-hosted by Bulgaria, Niger, Norway, Senegal, Slovenia, Tunisia, Uruguay, and the ICC Office of the Prosecutor (OTP))

Overview by Emma Bakkum, Senior Research Associate PILPG NL

Highlights:

• ICC Prosecutor Ms. Fatou Bensouda launched the OTP’s report on Preliminary Examination Activities of 2018 and discussed lessons learned from the past year.

• Ms. Bensouda stated that threats made against the ICC would neither influence decisions of the OTP nor deter the OTP from its work. States and civil society should stand ready to support the Court, she added.

ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda launched the Office of The Prosecutor’s (OTP) report on the 2018 Preliminary Examination Activities during this side event on the fifth day of the 17th Assembly of States Parties.

Bensouda opened the event by reiterating that the aim of this annual report is to enhance understanding of the core activities of the preliminary examinations and to further transparency of the OTP activities in these examinations. She touched upon the current status of the preliminary examinations: three new examinations are opened (The Philippines, Venezuela, Myanmar/Bangladesh), two situations are referred for preliminary examination (Palestine and Venezuela), one preliminary examination is closed (Gabon), and the Prosecutor requested authorization to proceed with an investigation in the case of Afghanistan. Furthermore, the OTP continued its preliminary examinations of the situations in Colombia, Guinea, Iraq/United Kingdom, Nigeria, Palestine, and Ukraine.

Bensouda underlined the effort that went into these investigations notwithstanding the limited resources of the OTP. She indicated several lessons learned from this year’s preliminary examinations: First, the ICC and its supporters need to be ready to face upcoming challenges. She added that we live in a world where war and conflict lead to reported violence, and each time the question asked is: what is the ICC doing about this? The ICC needs support of all States Parties for the Court to face the demands and challenges of justice.

Following, Bensouda explained the complexity and duration of preliminary examinations (PEs). She stated that PEs involve a dynamic process and each situation has to be addressed on its own, there is no prescribed duration for preliminary examinations. Factors that affect the duration are complexity and the extremely limited resources available to the OTP. However, Bensouda stressed that the PE process sets the stage for future investigations. Thus, “time spend on PEs is not wasted. It is invested in future investigations.” Furthermore, the OTP stated to seek building synergies between the stage of preliminary examination and investigations, in order to preserve and protect sources of evidence. Continuing with the topic of resources, Bensouda, noting that millions of victims have high expectations on what the ICC should deliver, underlined that it is extremely difficult to prioritize among victim groups. The Rome Statute does not provide authority nor guidance to do so. 

Finally, Bensouda stressed the principle of complementarity as an important factor on the duration of preliminary examinations, referring to Guinea and Colombia as examples.

Bensouda concluded with thanking her staff after having underlined that preliminary examinations require time and support from all those involved.

Several questions arose from the full room of audience about situations in e.g. Palestine and Afghanistan as well as crimes committed in Nigeria and Mexico. Specific attention was drawn to the threats made against the Court. Bensouda responded that threats would neither influence decisions of the OTP nor deter the OTP from its work. The important work the OTP was mandated to do should not be stopped because of intimidations or threats. States and civil society should stand ready to support the Court, she added.

Answering a question from the audience with regard to PEs aiming at complementarity, Bensouda stated that this was a goal of the preliminary examinations process. As much as the OTP could, it tried to encourage domestic jurisdictions to investigate and prosecute those responsible for international crimes, she noted referring to the example of Guinee and Colombia. James Stewart, Deputy Prosecutor, added to this, that the OTP discovered that in some situations, complementarity could be reached through the admissibly assessment.

Referring to the situation in Afghanistan, a question was related to the earlier mentioned synergy between the PEs stage and investigation stage and what the OTP has been able to do in this regard. This was followed by question on the exclusion of the situation in Afghanistan in the 2019 budget: if an investigation is opened, how is the OTP going to have the proper resources? Bensouda answered that the application had been made and that it was now up to the judges to come to a decisions. The OTP cannot take any action to pre-empt that decision. In these cases, the OTP could look at the contingency budget to be able to move with a situation since the OTP cannot formulate a budget withouth a decision. However, she noted, mapping has been done and steps have been taken to prepare. Bensouda concluded on the topic of Afghanistan that the change of the Pre-Trial Chamber has affected the duration of the decision upon her request.

In response to questions about the crimes committed in Nigeria, the OTP indicated that it continues to assess the situation and that interaction with national authorities was ongoing. Relatedly, Bensouda answered a question with regards to the ICC’s relation with the African Union, stating that this relationship has improved. Bensouda noted the efforts that have been made to reach out to the AU but that the dialogue needs to be continued.

Side Event – “International Nuremberg Principles Academy: Islam and International Criminal Law and Justice” (co-hosted by Germany and International Nuremberg Principles Academy))

Overview by Cleo Meinicke, Research Associate PILPG NL

Highlights:

• In light of international crimes committed in several Muslim states, the International Nuremberg Principles Academy published a book that explores international criminal law and justice in an Islamic context. 

The event on “Islam and International Criminal Law and Justice”, co-hosted by Germany and the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, was moderated by Klaus Rackwitz, the Director of the International Nuremberg Principles Academy. The speakers of the panel included Dr. Guildo Hildner, the Director of Public International Law at the Germany Federal Foreign Office, Dr. Viviane Dittrich, the Deputy Director of the Academy, Dr. Talynn Gray, the editor of the book discussed in the panel, and Dr. Ivana Hrdličková, president and judge at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Furthermore, Catherine Marchi-Uhel, the first Head of the IIIM, Dr. Mohamed El-Zeidy, a Legal Officer in the Pre-Trial Division of the ICC, Adel Maged, a judge from the Court of Cassation in Egypt, and Amady Ba, the Head of International Cooperation at the ICC OTP.

Whereas the Rome Statute theoretically includes values and principles of all legal systems, it is often argued that the geographical representation is not equal. Most reference is made to civil and common law systems, thereby supporting the existing Eurocentric bias and marginalizing other sources of law, such as Islamic law. Considering the current events in different Muslim states, most notably Syria, but also Afghanistan, Nigeria and many other states, a discussion of international criminal law in the Islamic context is relevant. 

Dr. Hildner introduced the International Nuremberg Principle Academy that was founded in 2014 by the German Foreign Office, the Free State of Bavaria and the City of Nuremberg. The foundation aims to promote international criminal justice and human rights. He especially highlighted the independence of the Academy’s work.

Following, Dittrich as the main editor of the Nuremberg Academy’s publications, raised awareness for the different projects the Academy is working on. Next to “Islam and Criminal Law and Justice” the Academy published “Two Steps Forward and one Step Back: The Deterrent Effect of International Criminal Tribunals.” The books were both published in the Nuremberg Academy Series, where they are freely accessible. The idea to focus on the relation between Islam and international criminal justice emerged in 2015 during the major annual conference of the Academy and was further established at the round table discussions in 2016, where the topic was unanimously considered to be of great relevance.

Dr. Gray presented the reasoning behind publishing the book and its content: in the light of international crimes being committed in many Muslim states, it is necessary to look at Islam and international criminal justice. A large part of states around the world are Muslim and follow at least to a part Islamic law and most of them are not States Parties to the Rome Statute. The book aims to address two myths according to Dr. Gray. The first concerns the perception that the Rome Statute as imposed by the West and the second is about the classic civilization problem, arguing that Islam is inherently not in line with democracy. However, the book disentangles these myths and, among other arguments, shows that the Rome Statute was created by communication between different cultures. Nevertheless, it also advocates staying sensitive towards the Eurocentric bias. Dr. Gray further introduced the structure of the book, which looks at the sources of Islamic law and Islamic socio-legal norms in comparison with international criminal law. Later on the book analyses more specific conduct and the approach taken by Islamic law, such as with regards to military aggression, jus in bello, and non-international armed conflicts. The book concludes with a chapter on the place for Islamic law within the applicable law of the ICC.

The president of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Dr. Hrdličková, highlighted the importance of the definition of Muslim states before analyzing Islamic law. One can simply refer to the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) states, but there are differences among those. There are states with a majority of Muslims, but where Islamic Law is not the primary law applicable. Some states use different legal systems for public and private law and others do not even have Islam as a state religion, such as in Indonesia. Dr. Hrdličková stressed that we need to know the culture, the different habits, customs and the tribal law of the state. In the specific case of Lebanon, with a significant Muslim population, the legal system is based on the French civil law system, but there are specific personal status laws for the Muslim population. Nevertheless, these provisions do not have an impact on criminal law. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon, being a hybrid tribunal, uses the criminal law of Lebanon but the rules and procedure of international law. Here the President of the Tribunal stressed that there needs to be mutual understanding, of the culture and also the legal systems in the state in order to achieve a successful outcome. 

Ms. Marchi-Uhel introduced the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsibility for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011. She stressed the overlap especially in IHL between international law and Islamic law, which both prohibit for example the mutilation of dead bodies and the causation of unnecessary suffering. She supported the aim of the book to demystify false understanding of Islamic law, which is often used to promote xenophobia. 

Dr. El-Zeidy highlighted the lack of a uniform Muslim world, wherefore one has to be cautious about generalizing it. Because of the fact that many take the name of the prophet and Sharia as justifications for violence, it is even more important to look at Sharia and its content, according to him. He introduced the sources of the ICC and specifically the complementarity principle, which is where one could find some room to apply Islamic law at the ICC. Dr. El-Zeidy referred to the Libyan case where the government wanted to take over the task of charging Said al-Islam Gadaffi but the Court’s Defense was against it based on the argument that Islamic Law does not take all the rights of the suspect into account. However, Dr. El-Zeidy emphasized that this is a misconception of Islamic law and that the ICC lost a good opportunity to support the recognition of the law in this case. He asked why the Court mainly refers back to civil and common law while not referring much to other legal traditions. 

The next speaker was Adel Maged, who stressed again that there is no singular Islamic law and one has to return to the classical books of Sharia to gain a complete understanding. Because of this difficulty and the necessity of academic knowledge of Islamic law, Maged doubts that ISIS has a complete understanding ofIslamic law. Maged values that the book central to this event finally bridges the gap between the Muslim and Western world. Nevertheless, he promotes the publishing of a similar book, solely written by Islamic jurists, to have detailed Islamic law assembled in one book. Lastly, Amady By highlighted again the ICC relevance also in Muslim countries, having ongoing investigations in five Muslim countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Myanmar, and Libya.

Not much time was left for questions at the end of the side event but one question was asked concerning the myths addressed in the book. It was inquired whether those myths were based on lack of knowledge or on manipulations. Dr. Gray responded that the myths were a product of collateral manipulations, which do not come from the population but from political leadership. 

Side Event – “Film screening: Peace Through Justice - The Legacy of Thomas Buergenthal (hosted by International Nuremberg Principles Academy)

Overview by Cleo Meinicke, Research Associate PILPG NL

On the fifth day of the 17thAssembly of States Parties, the film “Peace Through Justice – The Legacy of Thomas Buergenthal”, produced by Ilona Kalmbach and Sabine Jainski for the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, was screened at the Omniversumfilm theater in The Hague. The film provided insight into the International Nuremberg Principles Academy with a special focus on the first president of the Advisory Council of the Academy, Thomas Buergenthal, who is now honorary president of the Council. 

Thomas Buergenthal survived the Holocaust at the age of eleven, but lost his father in concentration camp Buchenwald. Instead of seeking revenge the film shows how Buergenthal got over negative feelings he had by holding on to the rule of law. He emigrated to the U.S. in the aftermath of the war and built up a career in international law. Buergenthal is considered to be one of the first professors to establish International Human Rights Law. Next to teaching at George Washington Law School in Washington D.C. he worked at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the United Nations Human Rights Committee and also served as a judge at the International Court of Justice until 2010. His dissenting opinion on the ICJ Ruling on Israel’s Security Wall decision is well known, especially due to his criticism of the Israeli settlements in Palestine. 

Buergenthal remembers that the Nuremberg Trials and especially the courtroom in Nuremberg stand for the day that a certain amount of justice was done for him and other victims of the WWII. It is an important principle today that people who commit international crimes are tried and convicted. This principle was first established in Nuremberg, which is one of the reasons why the International Nuremberg Principles Academy is placed in the city.

The International Nuremberg Principles Academy is a foundation that was established by the German government, the free state of Bavaria, and the city of Nuremberg. The aim of the International Nuremberg Principles Academy is to promote the application of international criminal law and the fight against impunity for core international crimes through capacity building, research, but also international conferences organized in Nuremberg. Moreover, students from all over the world come together once a year in the historic courtroom, where the Nuremberg Trials were conducted, to meet for the Nuremberg Moot Court. On the basis of the Academy lie the principles established during the Nuremberg Trials (1945-46), which are still applied in international criminal law today. It is the aim of the Academy to contribute to the development of international criminal law.

Side Event – “Ratification of the Rome Statute as an important step to combating impunity for grave crimes in Ukraine (hosted by Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group)

Overview by Sally Eshun, Intern PILPG NL

Highlights:

• Civil society in Ukraine urges the Ukrainian government to ratify the Rome Statute in order to investigate crimes ranging from acts of sexual violence to forced conscription committed in Ukraine.

Hosted by the Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group, this side event focused on the impunity for grave crimes in Ukraine. At the beginning of the event, a short but impressive film was shown with victims and their relatives giving their account on arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearance. The conflict in Eastern Ukraine and Crimea has been ongoing since 2014. Civil society in Ukraine are pushing the Ukrainian government to ratify the Rome Statute in order to investigate crimes ranging from acts of sexual violence to forced conscription. 

Alina Pavliuk from the Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group briefly explained that it is important for Ukraine to ratify the Rome Statute and emphasised that no one is above the law, particularly considering that the status of official capacities is irrelevant under the Rome Statute. She called for members of the EU, NATO, and State Parties of the ICC to encourage the Ukrainian government to ratify the Rome Statute. 

Maksym Tymochko from the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union shed light on the use of human shields by Russian forces as a war crime. Through this method, public institutions like the Supreme Council in Crimea or military bases were seized, according to Mr. Tymchko. He discussed evidence that shows how during the active phase of the conflict in February and March of 2014, the local population was used as human shields. According to him, the evidence also proves that the perpetrators were high ranking Russian military officials and that under command responsibility individuals like the Russian defence minister and the commander of the Black Sea fleet need to be held accountable. He finally mentioned that a communication of Ukrainian Human Rights NGOs is on the way to the ICC presenting the crime of using civilian population as human shields. 

Vitaliy Nabukhotny from the Regional Center for Human Rights talked about forced conscription committed on a wide and systematic scale in Crimea and how refusal is punishable under Crimean law – punishments include financial penalties, forced labour, and imprisonment. The way in which forced conscription is taking place in Crimea is unprecedented since WWII, according to Mr. Nabukhotny, which is why jurisprudence on this matter is lacking significantly. 

Natalie Hrytsenko, from the Eastern Ukrainian Centre for Civic Initiatives Coalition, focused on sexual and gender-based crimes committed in the Donbas region. She noted that documentation has shown that the majority of these crimes take place in illegal detention facilities. Sexual violence is a significant part of the conflict, she added. While it is not always rape, other acts that are considered as sexual violence within the Ukrainian context are being committed. An example is forced labour according to gender stereotypes, namely women being forced to clean the bathroom facilities of military personnel and doing laundry. Another example Ms. Hrytsenko mentioned was of men forced to wear women’s clothes in order to humiliate them. Sexual crimes took place on a large scale and were utilised as punishment, during interrogation and/or extortion techniques, she concluded. Generally, the panel of this side event agreed upon that the ratification of the Rome Statute is necessary given the plethora of crimes committed.