IJCentral: International Justice Central

The International Criminal Court is the world’s first permanent international criminal court, which is established and governed by the Rome Statute, a treaty ratified by 114 countries. It is located in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998 was a historic step, reflecting the determination of the world community to put an end to impunity and to contribute to the prevention of crimes which threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.

The ICC has jurisdiction over the most serious crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed after 1 July 2002.

This video was produced in 2011 by the Public Information and Documentation Section of the ICC, for non-profit and educational purposes. The ICC encourages its use, reproduction and distribution for the same purposes. Sale or commercial use is strictly prohibited.

More information: http://www.icc-cpi.int

People & Power travelled to Southern Kordofan for an exclusive interview with the leader of the SPLA rebels there.

On 7 July 2011, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) held an event and symbolic flag-raising ceremony, calling other parties to join in celebrations of 17 July, International Criminal Justice Day.

Events commemorating 17 July are aimed at raising awareness and generating support for global justice and the fight against impunity. The ICC is coordinating with national judiciaries, international tribunals, NGOs and other partners to commemorate this day, and invites all those who wish to support justice, promote victims’ rights, and help prevent crimes that threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.

This video was produced in 2011 by the Public Information and Documentation Section of the ICC, for non-profit and educational purposes. The ICC encourages its use, reproduction and distribution for the same purposes. Sale or commercial use is strictly prohibited.

More information: http://www.icc-cpi.int

The International Criminal Court is the world’s first permanent international criminal court, which is established and governed by the Rome Statute. It is located in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998 was a historic step, reflecting the determination of the world community to put an end to impunity and to contribute to the prevention of crimes which threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.

The ICC has jurisdiction over the most serious crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed after 1 July 2002.

This video was produced in 2011 by the Public Information and Documentation Section of the ICC, for non-profit and educational purposes. The ICC encourages its use, reproduction and distribution for the same purposes. Sale or commercial use is strictly prohibited.

On Tuesday 28 June 2011, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo, held a press conference in relation to the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber I to issue warrants of arrest against Muammar Abu Minyar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi.

On 27 June 2011, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued three warrants of arrest respectively for Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi for crimes against humanity (murder and persecution) allegedly committed across Libya from 15 February 2011 until at least 28 February 2011, through the State apparatus and Security Forces.

The Chamber, composed of Judges Sanji Mmasenono Monageng (Presiding), Sylvia Steiner and Cuno Tarfusser, considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the three suspects committed the alleged crimes and that their arrests appear necessary in order to ensure their appearances before the Court; to ensure that they do not continue to obstruct and endanger the Court’s investigations; and to prevent them from using their powers to continue the commission of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.

The situation in Libya was referred to the ICC Prosecutor by the United Nations Security Council, through the unanimous adoption of Resolution 1970 on 26 February 2011. The Security Council decided, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, that “the Libyan authorities shall cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the Prosecutor pursuant to this resolution” and, while recognizing that States not party to the Rome Statute have no obligations under the Statute, the Security Council urged all States and concerned regional and other international organisations to cooperate fully with the Court and the Prosecutor.

On 3 March 2011, the ICC Prosecutor decided to open an investigation and requested, on 16 May 2011, the issuance of the arrest warrants.

On 27 June 2011, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued three warrants of arrest respectively for Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi for crimes against humanity (murder and persecution) allegedly committed across Libya from 15 February 2011 until at least 28 February 2011, through the State apparatus and Security Forces.

The Chamber, composed of Judges Sanji Mmasenono Monageng (Presiding), Sylvia Steiner and Cuno Tarfusser, considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the three suspects committed the alleged crimes and that their arrests appear necessary in order to ensure their appearances before the Court; to ensure that they do not continue to obstruct and endanger the Court’s investigations; and to prevent them from using their powers to continue the commission of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.

The situation in Libya was referred to the ICC Prosecutor by the United Nations Security Council, through the unanimous adoption of Resolution 1970 on 26 February 2011. The Security Council decided, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, that “the Libyan authorities shall cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the Prosecutor pursuant to this resolution” and, while recognizing that States not party to the Rome Statute have no obligations under the Statute, the Security Council urged all States and concerned regional and other international organisations to cooperate fully with the Court and the Prosecutor.

On 3 March 2011, the ICC Prosecutor decided to open an investigation and requested, on 16 May 2011, the issuance of the arrest warrants.

While Gadiffi clings to power, accusations of rape used as a state tool have become widespread. Now, as hundreds of cases emerge, the International Criminal Court is to consider whether Libya’s officials have a case to answer.

Rape has long been considered a weapon of war, but its effects on women in Libya, have been compounded with disastrous effect by the extreme stigma and shame associated with rape on Muslim women. Those who dare to speak out risk becoming ostracised from their families and communities and some are left to die. “They are too scared”, says Dr Siham.“Some of them say that their husbands know what happened to them and their husbands left them… some of them were completely abandoned”. But brave women like Iman Al-Obeidi have dared to speak out and in doing so have compelled many more women to do the same. “Her name is on everyone’s lips and she has become a symbol”, says her father. What began as a trickle of reports has now been officially recognised by the International Criminal Court as hundreds more now admit to the horrors suffered at the hands of Gadaffi’s soldiers. To speak out in this way is almost unheard of in Libya, but as DR Siham states, “this revolution has changed everybody”.

Produced by SBS Datline.
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures