ICC First Vice-President begins her official visit to African States Parties
The First Vice-President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ms Fatoumata Dembele Diarra (Mali) along with Mr Didier Preira, Deputy Registrar will on Sunday 28 June 2009, begin her official visit to the African States Parties of Mali, Benin and Senegal.
Whilst on her travels through the three States, the First Vice-President will use the opportunity to encourage dialogue related to the issue of complementarity, a topic for discussion initiated by ICC President Song earlier this month during his recent first visit as President of the Court to the African continent. She will emphasise the central importance of implementing the Rome Statute into domestic legislation that will enable an international justice system aimed at ending impunity for the worst crimes known to humanity.
Vice-President Diarra will begin her visit in Mali where she will meet with His Excellency, President Amadou Toumani Touré, Mr Maharafa Traore, Minister of Justice and Mr Moctar Ouane, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
On 30 June she will continue to Benin and on 2 July to Senegal. In both countries she will be received by senior government representatives.
Currently, thirty African states make up the largest regional group of a total 108 States Parties to the Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty.
The International Criminal Court is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
To date, three States Parties to the Rome Statute – Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic – have referred situations occurring on their territories to the Court. In addition, the Security Council has referred the situation in Darfur, Sudan – a non‐State Party.
More information on the Court and its current activities
Biography of First Vice-President Diarra
For further information please contact Ms Sonia Robla, Head of Public Information and Documentation Section at +31 (0)70 515-8089 or (0)6 46 44 87 26 or at [email protected].