ICC President, Judge Philippe Kirsch, addresses United Nations General Assembly
The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Philippe Kirsch presented the annual report of the ICC to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 30 October 2008.
President Kirsch provided an overview of recent developments at the Court and an assessment of where the Court stands ten years after the General Assembly convened the historic Rome Conference to create the ICC. He noted that “the creation of the ICC reflected the resolve of States to give a permanent institutional dimension to a fundamental shift in international relations which had begun a few years earlier - from the culture of impunity to an approach based on respect for justice and the rule of law.” President Kirsch observed that the Court today “is respected as an independent, purely judicial institution whose decisions will be enforced.” Looking to the future, President Kirsch called on States, international organisations and civil society to continue to co-operate with the Court and to respect and to ensure respect for the Court’s independence and its purely judicial mandate.
The ICC is an independent, international judicial institution with jurisdiction over individuals accused of the most serious crimes of international concern: genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It is independent from the UN. A relationship between the two institutions was established through an agreement concluded in 2004. In accordance with this agreement, the Court submits an annual report on its activities to the UN.
30.10.2008 - Address to the United Nations General Assembly, Judge Philippe Kirsch, President of the International Criminal Court
22.08.2008 - Fourth Report of the International Criminal Court to the United Nations for 2007/08
For further information please contact Ms Sonia Robla, Head of Public Information and Documentation Section at +31 (0)70 515-8089 or +31 (0) 646448726 or at [email protected]
Source: Presidency