Monthly News Updates: International Criminal Court News Updates – April 2022
By: Claire Kaula, Junior Research Associate, PILPG-NL
The ICC is increasing collaboration and cooperation. The ICC President visited the UN and Guinea-Bissau, the ICC Prosecutor visited Ukraine and Nigeria, and the Office of the Prosecutor is joining Eurojust to collect information for the Situation in Ukraine.
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
ICC President completes mission to United Nations in New York City
ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański undertook a three-day mission to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. During his mission, Judge Hofmański met with many UN officials, discussed the ICC’s growing number of activities, and promoted universal support of the Rome Statute. [April 7, 2022]
EUROPE
Ukraine | Office of the Prosecutor partners with the Joint Investigation Team
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor announced its participation in the Joint Investigation Team with Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland regarding international crimes. This marks the first cooperation and collaboration between the ICC and Eurojust (a European Union Agency). The partnership allows for better and more efficient ability to collect information needed for the investigation into the Situation in Ukraine. [April 25, 2022].
Ukraine | ICC Prosecutor visits Ukraine
Beginning on April 13, ICC Prosecutor Karim AA Khan visited Ukraine to strengthen cooperation and engagement in the investigation into the Situation in Ukraine. While there, he met with Ukraine’s Prosecutor-General Iryna Venediktova, visited the crime scene in Bucha saying there are “reasonable grounds to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the ICC are being committed,” and met with survivors in Borodyanka. [April 16, 2022]
United Kingdom | UK contributes £70,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland made a £70,000 voluntary contribution to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV). This contribution will specifically be used for victims of conflict relating to sexual and gender-based violence. The TFV welcomed the contribution, and the UK reaffirmed their strong support of the ICC. [April 4, 2022]
THE AMERICAS
Venezuela | Venezuela requests deferral of investigation, ICC Prosecutor requests resumption
Venezuela requested that the ICC Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) defer its investigation into the Situation in Venezuela under Article 18(2) of the Rome Statute. Venezuela claims they are investigating the Situation domestically. However, ICC Prosecutor Karim AA Khan claims there is no new information demonstrating this. The Prosecutor has notified and requested that the Pre-Trial Chamber authorizes the OTP to resume the investigation. [April 21, 2022]
AFRICA
Nigeria | ICC Prosecutor visits Nigeria
The ICC Prosecutor Karim AA Khan concluded his first official visit to Nigeria. The visit was conducted to discuss the preliminary examination into the Situation in Nigeria completed in 2020. At that time, former ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda concluded there were reasonable grounds that crimes against humanity and war crimes occurred. The visit established cooperation between Nigeria and the ICC for any future investigation. [April 22, 2022]
Republic of Guinea-Bissau | ICC President visits Guinea-Bissau
ICC President, Judge Piotr Hofmański visited Guinea-Bissau and met with Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of Guinea-Bissau, and other government officials to encourage ratification of the Rome Statute. Judge Hofmański also visited the European Union Delegation in Guinea-Bissau. [April 21, 2022]
Sudan | Mr. Abd-Al-Rahman’s trial opens
On April 5, the case The Prosecutor v. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman opened before ICC Trial Chamber I. Mr. Abd-Al-Rahman was charged with 31 crimes against humanity and war crimes, and he pled not-guilty to all. ICC Prosecutor Karim AA Khan and ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls made opening statements, followed by remarks from the Legal Representatives of Victims. Prosecutor Khan emphasized the gender-based violence and crimes committed against children in this case and the ICC’s purpose to provide justice by this trial. [April 5, 2022]