ICC holds High-Level Seminar on Cooperation in Seoul
On 4 and 5 April 2017, the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or the "Court"), in close cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Korea, held its eighth high-level regional seminar for fostering cooperation with the Court in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on the theme "The ICC and Asia: the joint quest for justice, accountability and prevention".
Government delegates from 13 countries, high-level representatives of the government and judiciary of the Republic of Korea, ICC officials, and representatives of regional and intergovernmental organisations, discussed ways of strengthening cooperation in international criminal justice matters as well as increasing ratification of the Rome Statute in the region.
"The Republic of Korea has been fully committed to supporting the ICC from the process of discussing the Rome Statute to establishment of the Court," said H.E. Justice Young-han Ko, Minister of National Court Administration of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea. "The Republic of Korea including the Korean Judiciary will continue to provide strong support to the ICC," he added.
"The ICC is a global court and it needs the equal support of all regions. Asia's active participation is crucial and I hope to see more Asian States join and play a key role at the Court," said ICC President Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi. "Joining the ICC demonstrates commitment to international law and solidarity with victims. Ratification of the Rome Statute contributes to deterrence of future crimes locally as well as globally," she added.
This seminar forms part of broader efforts to further advance cooperation with the Court and enhance global support. It is organised by the ICC, in close cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Korea, and with the generous financial support of the European Commission. Experience from similar events organised in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean has reaffirmed that such regional seminars provide a vital forum for high-level discussions to enhance global support for the Court.
The observations agreed highlight the most relevant issues in order to encourage a wider representation of Asia amongst the ICC family of States Parties to the Rome Statute and to enhance fruitful cooperation between States and the Court, as well as among States.
For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson/Head, Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or +31 (0)6 464-48938 or by e-mail at: [email protected]
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