Looking Back, Looking Ahead - Reflections from the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC

The ICC was created in 1998 by the Rome Statute. The Statute defines the mission of the Office of the Prosecutor (“OTP”): to put an end to impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community—genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes—and thereby contribute to the prevention of such crimes. The OTP and the Court itself are part of a new system of international justice created by the Statute. There are now 121 State Parties to the Rome Statute, the latest member being the Guatemala, all committed to prevent and punish massive crimes, using the rule of law to protect their own citizens. This is a twenty-first century institution

Reflections from the International Criminal Court Prosecutor

Today I would like to introduce the idea of a new paradigm in international relations, which was introduced by the work of the drafters of the Rome Statute and the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC): this idea is that of law as a global tool to contribute to the world\u27s peace and security. This idea first surfaced with the belief that the power of law has the capacity to redress the balance between the criminals who wield power and the victims who suffer at their hands. Law provides power for all regardless of their social, economic, or political status; it is the ultimate weapon that the weak have against the strong. Indeed, when implemented equally and fairly, the law sets one standard for everyone; it empowers all communities and individuals, and provides justice for all. It does not allow any individual or any segment of society to override or manipulate the order for individual gains, if it is backed by sound institutions. In the domestic context, we have created institutions such as parliament, the police, prosecutors, and courts to establish law and order. But what about the international context? How are we supposed to counter and prevent massive crimes of an international character such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, like those that were committed in Darfur, Libya, or Cote d\u27Ivoire

Reflections from the International Criminal Court Prosecutor

August 29, 2012 Reflections from the International Criminal Court Prosecutor Frederick K. Cox International Law Center Lecture on Global Justice Case Western Reserve University School of Law Fatou Bensouda Prosecutor International Criminal Cour

Reflections of an International Chief Prosecutor

The Bruce J. Klatsky Endowed Distinguished Lecture in Human Rights Featuring Hon. Fatou Bensouda, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda, Ambassador of The Gambia to the UK, served as Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) from June 2012 to June 2021. Ambassador Bensouda previously held the position of ICC Deputy Prosecutor from 2004 to 2012. Prior to her work at the ICC, Ambassador Bensouda worked as Trial Attorney, Senior Legal Adviser and Head of the Legal Advisory Unit at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania. Between 1987 and 2000, she served in successively senior positions in The Gambia, including Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in which capacity she served as Chief Legal Advisor to the President and Cabinet. In March 2022, Ambassador Bensouda was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to be Chairman of the three-person International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia which is investigating atrocities in Tigray and neighboring regions