The ICC Registrar meets with the Attorney General of the State of Qatar

On 29 August 2010, Mrs. Silvana Arbia, the Registrar of the International Criminal Court (ICC), met with the Attorney General of the State of Qatar, Dr. Ali Bin Fetais Al-Marri in Doha (Qatar) to discuss the organization of a regional diplomatic conference on the ICC, and to explore, more broadly, different means of reinforcing relations between the Court, the State of Qatar, the Arab world, and generally Western Asia. During the meeting Mrs. Arbia and Dr. Al-Marri emphasized their shared commitment to the rule of law and the need to respect international law.

From the 6th to the 7th of October 2010 a first regional diplomatic conference on the ICC in and for the Middle East will be held in Doha, State of Qatar. This regional event, sponsored by the State of Qatar, is being undertaken together with the League of Arab States in cooperation with the ICC.

In expressing her deep admiration and respect for Middle Eastern cultures and civilizations, Mrs. Arbia stated that “there is, in the region, misinformation about the mandate and functioning of the ICC. The ICC is an independent multi-organ international judicial institution, with a whole host of checks and balances in place that exists to apply the law, guarantee fair trials, and ensure that justice is applied equally across the board”. The ICC Registrar emphasized that "we must stay committed to end impunity and protect human rights wherever it is denied”. She stressed the importance of the rights of victims in proceedings before the Court as a novelty in international criminal law, and stated that “at the International Criminal Court, victims can, for the first time in the history of the discipline, participate actively in the proceedings, have their voices heard, and request for reparations in case of convictions”.

The meeting was concluded with the Registrar conveying her utmost gratitude to Dr. Al-Marri and the Qatar authorities for their hospitality, commitment to the international rule of law and openness to the ICC, as well as the great efforts exerted domestically, aimed at establishing a fully independent judicial system in Qatar. Further contacts and collaboration between the Qatar authorities and the ICC will follow this first visit to Doha.

For further information please contact Sonia Robla, Chief of Public Information and Documentation Section, at +31 (0)70 515-8089 or +31 (0) 6 46 44 87 26 or at [email protected]