ICC holds Retreat with African States Parties in Addis Ababa

On 12 June 2019, the International Criminal Court (ICC) convened a Retreat with African States Parties to the Rome Statute in Addis Ababa with the participation of the Office of Legal Counsel of the African Union and the ICC Trust Fund for Victims (TFV). The purpose of the Retreat was to continue promoting open and frank dialogue and in-depth discussions relating to the mandate and activities of the ICC in the fight against impunity for the gravest crimes as listed under the ICC Rome Statute.

Government delegates from 22 African States Parties, the Legal Counsel of the African Union, ICC and TFV officials as well as representatives of the European Union and the International Organisation of La Francophonie, shared experiences and explored avenues to strengthen engagement and cooperation within the framework of the complementarity principle enshrined in the Rome Statute.

"National, regional and international bodies all have a role to play in deterring genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression, and in ensuring that when such crimes nevertheless occur, questions of accountability are asked and efforts are made to provide redress to the victims", Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, President of the International Criminal Court said at the opening of the Retreat.

In addition to the Retreat, ICC and TFV representatives will engage in discussions on "Africa and the ICC: The Contribution of Justice towards Peace and Stability in the Continent" with students, professors, state representatives and civil society at an event on 13 June 2019 at the University of Addis Ababa, organised by the Institute for Peace and Security Studies in collaboration with the ICC.

The Retreat was organised with the financial support of the European Commission and the International Organisation of La Francophonie. The ICC is grateful to the African Union Commission, the European Commission, the International Organisation of La Francophonie, and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies for their collaboration and hospitality in the context of these productive events.

For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson and Head of 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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