ASP18 Side Event: What are the Prospects of Bringing Omar Bashir to Justice

18TH SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF STATES PARTIES TO THE ROME STATUTE

Day 4 (5 December 2019)

Name of the Event: What are the Prospects of Bringing Omar Bashir to Justice (Side Event co-hosted by Human Rights Watch, Journalists for Justice, Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya))

Overview by: Sindija Beta, Junior Research Associate PILPG-NL

Main Highlights: 

• Sudanese people want Omar Bashir to be handed over to the ICC for prosecution.

• The international community must pressure the current Sudanese transitional government to hand over Mr. Bashir to the ICC. 

Summary of the Event:

This side event on the prospects of bringing Omar Bashir to justice was opened by the moderator George Kegoro. He outlined the importance of having the discussion about brining Omar Bashir to justice now, because he is no longer the president of Sudan, there is a new political authority in Sudan, and Mr. Bashir himself is still in Sudan. 

The first speaker from the panel was the President of End Impunity Organization – Barcai Abdel-Karim who talked about the political environment in Sudan. He outlined that even after the new transitional government was put in place, the political situation is fragile. There is still continuous violence present in Sudan and the government does not show signs of moving in a democratic direction. Mr. Barcai Abdel-Karim expressed his concerns about the unwillingness of the government to hand over Omar Bashir even though there is no prospect of successfully prosecuting him in Sudan. He also pointed out some of the arguments that are being spread in Sudan as to why Bashir should not be handed over to ICC. He ended his speech noting that Sudan is moving towards a worrying future – with a collapsing economy and two separate armed forces being present in the state. 

The Executive Director of African Centre For Justice and Peace Studies, Osman Ali Jami, introduced his work of visiting refugees and internally displaced people (IDP) camps of Sudanese people. His pointed out that when the refugees are asked what they need the most, their answer is not basic survival supplies, but rather justice. Mr. Jami noted that Sudan is unable to prosecute Bashir nationally, therefore they need the help of the international community and the Sudanese people are willing to hand over Omar Bashir to the ICC. 

Amir Suleman, Legal Program Director of African Centre For Justice and Peace Studies, focused his presentation on sexual violence committed against women and the traumatization people have experience since 2003. He gave an insights in what happened during the genocide in Darfur and what the people had to go through to escape the atrocities of Bashir’s government. Mr. Suleman also outlined the struggles the refugees are still experiencing – lack of water, access to education or any services. Despite these struggles and failed attempts of returning to Sudan, Mr. Suleman reiterated that the people’s only wish is that Bashir and his accomplices are tried before the ICC. 

Niemat Ahmadi, President of Darfur Women Action Group, also flagged the difficulties women from Darfur are forced to go through. She pointed out that 80 to 85 percent of refugees from Sudan are women and children and that even now they constantly face sexual abuse. Ms. Ahmadi noted that despite being ill and heavily traumatized the women of Darfur continue to do all they can to take care of their children and keep their families together. Nevertheless, she said that there is hope for people in Sudan and that people want the ICC to prosecute Mr. Bashir. Niemat Ahmadi flagged the reasons for why Bashir should not be tried in Sudan, namely, that there is no judicial impartiality in Sudan and no willingness on behalf of the transitional government to actually prosecute Omar Bashir. She also proposed that once Bashir is prosecuted the proceedings might be continued in Sudan with the help of the ICC. 

Andrew Songa, delegate to the African Union, International Federation for Human Rights, presented his suggestion for how the African Union might assist Sudan in the prosecution of Omar Bashir and others responsible for crimes committed in Sudan. He noted that the African Union has introduced a new transitional justice policy, which offers three steps which might be taken in situations such as in Sudan. Firstly, that national institution should try to carry out criminal accountability. If that is not possible, then, secondly, regional hybrid mechanisms can be employed. And only thirdly can other regional or international mechanisms, such as the ICC, be approached for prosecution of international crimes. He nonetheless flagged some of the issues which might arise upon each step. Mr. Songa concluded by saying that the best option for Sudanese case would be to seek the help of the ICC. 

Lastly, the moderator gave the opportunity to express their opinions and experiences to the audience. There was a wide eagerness from genocide survivors present at the session to share their experience and once more flag the importance of the ICC for the prosecution of Omar Bashir. The speakers as well as the public agreed that there is a need from the international community to pressure the current Sudanese transitional government to extradite Omar Bashir to the ICC in order to finally bring justice to all the people who have suffered during the presidency of Mr. Bashir. 

ASP18 Side Event: Seizing Illicit Assets for Reparations: Challenges and Opportunities

18TH SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF STATES PARTIES TO THE ROME STATUTE

Day 4 (5 December 2019)

Name of the Event: Seizing Illicit Assets for Reparations: Challenges and Opportunities (Side Event co-hosted by France, Uruguay, and REDRESS)

Overview by: Erez Roman, Junior Research Associate PILPG-NL

Main Highlights:

• All Panelists underlined the importance of cooperation between the States Parties in regard to seizing assets for reparations.

• New instruments and techniques are being brought forward by states to improve the manner and ways in which reparations are done.

Summary of the Event:

Moderator Rupert Skilbeck, director of REDRESS, started this event on seizing illicit assets for reparations by introducing the panelists briefly and then giving them the floor to speak. 

The first to speak was H.E. María Teresa Infante Caffi, the Chilean Ambassador to the Netherlands. H.E. reiterated the importance of the topic and shared a few words about the situation in Chile. Furthermore, she urged the participants to remain active in the mission at hand. The second speaker was the legal advisor of the French Mission to the Netherlands. Similarly to the Chilean Ambassador, she emphasized the importance of the topic at hand. She also mentioned that some investigations relating to seizure of assets for reparation have been successful although difficulties remain. 

The third panelist, Cristina Ribeiro, Investigations Coordinator, ICC OTP, was asked by the moderator to briefly explain the process of seizing assets for reparations. She talked about the difference between this task on the national and international level and emphasized that it is very important to be able to link a certain asset to a certain suspect. She added that that’s where the States Parties come into play since the ICC cannot act in their jurisdiction and requires their assistance. She continued by suggesting that seized assets are important and fill a range of objectives. First of all, as reparations, second, as a form of penalty, and third, using the assets to fund the Court’s activity. 

Following this, Anna-Aurore Bertrand, the External Relations and Cooperation Advisor, ICC Registry, took the floor to speak about some practical issues. She spoke about the Registry’s role in the process of seizing assets and said a few words on what it is like to act within a certain member state. She reiterated the fact that the legal systems of the ICC and the States Parties are different. She also noted that the Registry works on educating domestic prosecutors since it is not all about sending the request to seize someone’s assets, a prosecutor also needs to know how to do it. 

The Fifth Speaker was Luke Moffett, Senior Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast. He provided an academic perspective on the issue and shared some information from a recent report he published. He aimed to answer why seizing assets is important for reparation and mentioned similarly to Ms. Bertrand that it is important for the financing of the legal procedures at the ICC.  Furthermore, seizing someone’s assets is symbolic as it sends a message to the victims that it is possible to get certain reparation for wrongdoing experienced. However, Dr. Moffett also emphasized that seizing assets has a problematic side to it as it can hurt the integration process of those already convicted and served time for society. In addition, it is harder to seize assets as a response to some crimes than others. 

The sixth person, Haylea Campbell, Pro Bono Team Member, Hogan Lovells UK explained how the firm she works for deals with seizing assets for reparations. She mentioned an Australian case that, according to her, led to a better understanding that there is great discrepancy between application of measures to seize assets on the national and international levels. She surfaced another issue relating to whether an asset that has been seized actually makes its way to the hands of the victim or elsewhere, for example to the hands of the state. 

The last panelist to speak was Fransico Jimenez Villarejo, National Member for Spain at Eurojust. Mr. Jimenez Villarejo spoke about Eurojust and the European mechanisms for reparation. He mentioned how Eurojust supports cooperation between the EU member states, particularly in areas such as arrest and surrender of fugitives but also in the area of asset recovery in which, he reiterated the importance of cooperation due to differences in the legal systems. 

Following the presentations by the panelists the moderator gave time for questions from the audience. One of them related to the cooperation between the ICC and civil societies in relation to the topic at hand. The panelists answered that there is indeed a certain lack of cooperation but that this has practical reasons such as confidentiality of on-going investigations and other processes. 

ASP18 Side Event: Rights of Detainees before the International Criminal Court

18th Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute

Day 4 (5 December 2019)

Name of the Event: Rights of Detainees before the International Criminal Court (Side Event co-hosted by France, Senegal, and the International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA))

Overview by: Hester Dek, Intern PILPG-NL

Main Highlights:

• “Contact with family is a right, not a privilege that should be earned” - Mylène Dimitri.  

• Peter Haynes underlined the absence of the defense bar on the published list of independent experts on the ICC review.

• Mylène Dimitri highlighted the restriction of contact of detainees with their families and its breach of the presumption of innocence. 

• Marie-Hélène Proulx noted the lack of contribution of states to the Trust Fund for Family Visits. 

• Jennifer Naouri highlighted the absence of provisional release granted at the ICC.  

Summary of the Event:

This panel on the rights of detainees before the ICC consisted of Jennifer Naouri, Peter Haynes QC, Marie-Hélène Proulx, and Mylène Dimitri. 

Peter Haynes QC (ICCBA President) opened the event by stating that it was a considered decision to organize this event, as “the section that represents victims is represented well enough, but that of the defense not enough”. He referred to the published list of independent experts for the review of the ICC, which represents (former) judges, prosecutors, etc. but not one person who has ever had a client, has had to visit someone in a detention center, or work under a legal aid scheme. According to Mr. Haynes, it is “not just disappointing, but foolish that the court does not find that the defense bar is worthy of consultation.” 

Mylène Dimitri (Lead Counsel for Alfred Yekatom) discussed restriction of contact of detainees with their families in relation to the principle of presumption of innocence. “If we look at their conditions, it seems like they have lost their presumption of innocence”.  She discusses the current situation, where the court can prohibit, regulate, or set conditions for contact between detainees and their families, if they think that this contact could affect the proceedings. “Sometimes the request for prohibition on contact is requested prior to arrival, portraying the message: not only do we expect you to have committed these crimes, we also expect that you can affect the outcome, we don’t trust you.” According to Ms. Dimitri this breach is a breach of the presumption of innocence and often based on pure speculation, not clear information. “The detainee is put away as someone who is so guilty that there is ground to believe he will harm the victims and hamper the investigation, whereas the situation in the country is out of his control”. She further noted that while restriction on contact recently became the rule, instead of the exception, information on this is not publicly available, making it difficult to do something about the issue.  

Thereafter, Marie-Hélène Proulx (Associate Counsel for Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud) first discussed further the presumption of innocence. “There are five current detainees, only one has had a funded family visit. It is a real human drama”. She explains that the court has recognized the right to family visits, no one is disputing this, but that this right is currently not effective. Defendants rights are never a priority, raising the question how one can justify funding everything else, but leave detainees on the side. Only 5 out of 123 states have agreed to contribute to the Trust Fund for Families. 

Next, Jennifer Naouri (Associate Counsel for Laurent Gbagbo) discussed the length of trials, responding to the comment “this would all be less of an issue if the trials would not take so long.” After explaining that the length of a trial is trial-dependent, she highlights that there has been no provisional release granted at the ICC since it exists. She explains how case law allows for the Chambers to look at provisional release, but the language is so vague the judges can just decide not to grant it. Besides that, she raises the issue of a host state having to be willing to accept a detainee, and the relating responsibility. She concluded by proposing to amend the Rome Statute to remove Article 81(3). 

The floor was then opened for questions and comments. The reason for the confidentiality regarding detainees’ contact rights was first considered. Ms. Dimitri responded that this reason is unclear, stating that “confidentiality has become the rule at the ICC, and this has become part of the problem.” Another issue discussed was the question on shortening trials. The first response came from Mr. Haynes, who argued that one of the issues is the possibility for the Court to arrest someone without having confirmed the charges, which according to him should be crystalized on time. Ms. Naouri had a different view on the matter, she argued that this phase was essential, as “you can make a case out of it, you can gain a lot of time.” 

You can watch the full event here.

ASP18 Ninth Plenary Meeting: Adoption of Resolutions

18TH SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF STATES PARTIES TO THE ROME STATUTE

Day 5 (6 December 2019) 

Name of the Event: Ninth Plenary Meeting: Adoption of Resolutions

Overview by: Sindija Beta and Kelly van Eeten, Junior Research Associates PILPG-NL

Main Highlights:

• Seven draft resolutions were adopted by consensus, including on the review of the procedure for the nomination and election of judges and the Review of the ICC and the Rome Statute System. 

• The ASP agreed on a budget of €145.62 million for 2020. 

• The ASP adopted a resolution to amend Article 8 of the Rome Statute to include the war crime of starvation in non-international armed conflicts.

Summary of the Event:

The ninth and final session of the 18th ASP saw the adoption of seven resolutions, as well as the report of the Credentials Committee and the report of the 18th ASP.  

First, the report of the Working Group on the Program Budget, as well as the draft resolution on the proposed program budget for 2020 (ICC-ASP/18/L.4), were adopted. While the Court’s proposed budget request for 2020 amounted to €147.42 million and the CBF recommended to approve a budget of €146.21 million, States Parties agreed on a budget of €145.62 million. After adoption, Japan on behalf of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, and the UK,  stated that they encourage prioritization of the budget and expressed hope that all organs of the Court will further work on saving, efficiency, and effectiveness. Japan finally underlined the importance of efficient and transparent and accountable implementation of the Court’s budget. Belgium, on behalf of Argentina, Belgium, Costa Rica, Finland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Sweden, and the Netherlands expressed its disappointment with the adopted program budget which is lower than the already scrutinized CBF proposal. Belgium noted it would have liked a budget more in line with the needs of the Court and that the approved budget does not match the support for the Court as expressed during the ASP debate. Belgium finally expressed concern regarding the Court’s liquidity. 

The resolutions on the remuneration of the judges of the ICC (ICC-ASP/18/L.9) and on cooperation (ICC-ASP/18/L.5) were adopted by consensus.  

The resolution on the review of the procedure on the nomination and election of judges (ICC-ASP/18/L.6) was also adopted by consensus. Uruguay requested to make a statement. It noted that this resolution is an opportune decision to strengthen the performance of the ICC, emphasizing the importance of geographical representation and gender balance for the Court. 

The ASP President continued with the resolution on amendments to Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the ICC (ICC-ASP/18/L.8), adopted by consensus as well. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela requested to make a statement, in which it expressed its concern about the language of the amendment and that the amendment can be misused to unfairly criminalize states. Venezuela expressed its disapproval of the amendment but it would not block the consensus because of its commitment to the Rome Statute. Switzerland and Australia welcomed the adoption of the resolution on amendments to Article 8 to include starvation as a war crime in non-international armed conflict. Both underlined the importance of the amendment and Switzerland encourages all States Parties to swiftly ratify and implement it.

After the draft omnibus resolution (ICC/ASP/18/L.3) was adopted by consensus, the resolution on the Review of the ICC and the Rome Statute system (ICC-ASP/18/L.7) was adopted by consensus. Sierra Leone requested to make a statement, in which it explicitly welcomed the adoption of the review resolution, adding that confidential information obtained by the independent experts should not be disclosed. 

Finally, the ASP adopted the Report of the Credentials Committee (ICC-ASP/18/L.2), in which it was noted that 26 States Parties have not provided information on their representation at the 18th ASP. The report of the 18th session of the ASP (ICC-ASP/18.L.1) was presented and adopted. It was flagged that the final document will be available on the website of the ICC.

After the adoption of all draft resolutions, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) in a final statement expressed its strong commitment to the Court and the Rome Statute system. CICC called on the Assembly to renew dialogue with civil society on the essential needs of the Court, as well as provide the Court with adequate resources. CICC welcomed the adoption of the resolution on the review of the nomination and election of judges and emphasized the need to ensure transparent and merit based elections, as well as to reassess the representative character of the Bureau as expressed in the omnibus resolutions. 

With this statement and the adoption of seven resolutions, the ASP President closed the 18th session of the ASP a day early.

ASP18 Eight Plenary Meeting: Introduction of Draft Resolutions

18TH SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF STATES PARTIES TO THE ROME STATUTE

Day 5 (6 December 2019)

Name of the Event: Eight Plenary Meeting: Introduction of Draft Resolutions

Overview by: Rachel Grand, Andreina De Leo, and Francisca De Castro, Junior Research Associates PILPG-NL

Main Highlights: 

• The facilitators of several Working Groups introduced the draft resolutions for adoption, including the Omnibus Resolution and resolutions on the budget, cooperation, the remuneration of judges, the review of the procedure for the nomination and election of judges, the review of the ICC and Rome Statute system, and on amendments to Article 8 of the Rome Statute.

• The ASP decided to consider the adoption of these resolutions later that day at 16:00. 

Summary of the Event: 

During the 8th plenary meeting, several draft resolutions were presented to the ASP. The meeting began with a discussion of the omnibus resolution, provided in document ICC-ASP/18/L.3. The facilitator for the Omnibus Resolution, Switzerland, noted that the omnibus resolution highlights the desire to have better geographical representation within the Court. The coordinator expressed hope that the resolution would be adopted by consensus. Following that, the resolution on the proposed budget for 2020, contained in resolution ICC-ASP/18/L.4, was presented. The proposed budget was introduced during the fifth plenary meeting and was further discussed during formal and informal consultations within the Working Group. 

Ambassador Luis Vassy (France) and Ambassador Momar Guèye (Senegal), co-facilitators on cooperation, presented the draft resolution on cooperation, in document ICC-ASP/18/L.5. This resolution underlines the importance of global cooperation with States Parties, NGOs, and civil society. It also includes a provision for the creation of a numeric secure platform that would enhance cooperation between states. Ambassador Momar Gueye pointed to some of the objectives of the provisions which include: the preoccupation of the States Parties on the non-execution of arrest warrants concerning 15 people, the creation of said platform with the objective of enhancing state cooperation which would start working in 2020, the importance of cooperation procedures and mechanisms with the hopes of reinforcing these procedures and the cooperation between the Court, States Parties, other states, and NGOs. Another point put forward was the protection measures for witnesses and their families in need of witness protection, amongst others. 

Mr. Luke Roughton (New Zealand), facilitator for the review of the procedure for the nomination and election of judges, introduced draft resolution ICC-ASP/18/L.6 on the review of the procedure for the nomination and election of judges, stressing the importance of the review for States Parties, confirmed by their willingness to facilitate the adoption of the resolution. He presented the amendment to paragraph 3 of resolution ICC-ASP/3/Res.6, which would modify the date of the nomination period, as well as to paragraph 12. With regard to the latter, the resolution proposes the facilitation of public roundtable discussions with the candidates. Furthermore, he noted that States Parties showed willingness to cooperate and use a constructive approach even with regard to the most controversial issues. He concluded his intervention by hoping for an adoption of the resolution by consensus.

The Vice President of the Assembly, Ambassador Jens-Otto Horslund, introduced the draft resolution on the review of the ICC and the Rome Statute, system ICC-ASP/18/L.7.  The independent expert review will begin in January and will look at all components of the Court. The resolution highlights the important role of States Parties to assist in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Court. This resolution was brought through lengthy and difficult negotiations. The Vice President noted that the President appreciated States Parties’ flexibility and willingness to compromise. He reiterated the hope that there will be consensus on this resolution.

A representative of Mexico, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Working Group on Amendments, delivered draft resolution ICC-ASP/18/L.8 on amendments to Article 8 of the Rome Statute. The draft resolution proposed to amend Article 8(2)(e) of the Rome Statute to include the use of starvation as a method of warfare in relation to conflicts of a non-international nature. He pointed out that his amendment is the result of several meetings with the working group on amendments. 

Ambassador Martin Sørby (Norway), Chair of the Working Group on the Revision of the Judges’ Remuneration, discussed resolution ICC-ASP/18/L.9 on the remuneration of the judges of the ICC. He recalled that during the 17th session of the ASP it was decided to establish a mechanism to review judges’ remuneration. To this aim, the Assembly requested the Working Group on the Revision of the Judges’ Remuneration to prepare terms of reference. The Working Group met several times during 2019 to carry out informal consultations aimed at reaching a final agreement. The resolution envisages the establishment of a panel of three members (Vice-President and Coordinator of The Hague Working Group, the facilitator on the budget, and one outgoing and former member of the Committee on Budget and Finance), to be appointed by the Bureau, with the task of facilitating adjustments to the remuneration of judges. The resolution was this put for consideration by the Assembly.

The ASP decided to consider the adoption of the presented resolutions later on Friday, at a plenary meeting at 16:00.