Statement of the International Criminal Court on the passing of Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni

It is with great sadness that the International Criminal Court ("Court") learned of the passing of distinguished Professor of Law Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni on Monday, 25 September 2017.

Throughout his illustrious career, Professor Bassiouni was a leading figure in human rights law and international criminal law and, among his many accomplishments, was central to the creation of the International Criminal Court. In several roles, including as vice-chairman of the General Assembly's Ad Hoc and Preparatory Committees on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court (1995 and 1998) and as chairman of the Drafting Committee of the 1998 Diplomatic Conference on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court, he made invaluable contributions to the Court's founding treaty, the Rome Statute, thus shaping the international criminal justice system and international criminal law as it stands today. 

Professor Bassiouni received numerous awards from organisations across the globe for his invaluable and lasting contributions to international law, some of which can be seen through the vast body of books and articles he has left for posterity. He was a motivated and inspiring defender of the importance of international criminal justice to building sustainable peace. The world has lost one of the icons of international justice.  He will be sorely missed. 

The Court presents its sincere condolences to Professor Bassiouni's family and friends at this difficult time.

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 46448938 or by e-mail at: [email protected]

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