Situation 1: Uganda
Situation 2: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Situation 3: Darfur (Sudan)
Situation 4: Central African Republic (CAR)
Situation 5: Kenya
Situation 6: Libya
Situation 7: Mali
Situation 8: Côte d’Ivoire
Situation 9: Central African Republic (CAR) II
Situation 10: Georgia
Situation 11: Burundi

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Situation 1: Uganda

Uganda referred this situation to the Court in 2003, and an investigation was opened in 2004. Arrest warrants have been issued for Joseph Kony and other top members of the LRA, who remain at large.

Situation 2: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The Court opened an investigation in the DRC in 2004, upon the DRC government’s own referral. The Court’s first verdict in the case The Prosecutor v Thomas Lubanga Dyilo was in this situation and addressed the issue of child soldiers.

Situation 3: Darfur (Sudan)

For this situation the Court does not work within Sudan, but meets with affected communities in refugee camps in Eastern Chad and with the Darfuri diaspora throughout Europe. The Court opened an investigation in this situation in 2005 and has issued arrest warrants against Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and others, who remain at large. The case against Mr Al Bashir is the first to deal with the issue of genocide and the first arrest warrant issued by the ICC against a sitting head of State.

Situation 4: Central African Republic (CAR)

The Court opened an investigation in CAR in 2007, after receiving the government of CAR’s referral.

Situation 5: Kenya

The Court opened an investigation in Kenya in 2010 regarding the 2007/2008 post-election violence in the country.

Situation 6: Libya

Investigations opened in March 2011 regarding the situation in Libya, following a unanimous referral by the United Nations Security Council. Allegations in the situation include murder and persecution. Pictured here: refugees from Libya queue for food at Tunisia transit camp. Photo: UN Photo/ OCHA/ David

Situation 7: Mali

In 2012, the situation in Mali was referred to the ICC by the Malian government and investigations were commenced in 2013 regarding alleged war crimes and destruction of cultural heritage on Malian territory since January 2012. Photo: UN Photo/ Marco Dormino

Situation 8: Côte d’Ivoire

In October 2011, Pre-trial Chamber judges authorized the ICC Prosecutor to open investigations regarding the situation in Côte d’Ivoire since 28 November 2010.

Situation 9: Central African Republic (CAR) II

The second investigation regarding CAR, this time regarding the situation since 2012 on its territory, was launched in September 2014 after a government referral to the Court. Pictured here: IDP Camp at M’poko Airport, Bangui. Photo: UN Photo/ Catianne Tijerina

Situation 10: Georgia

In January 2016, the Prosecutor opened an investigation proprio motu for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the context of an international armed conflict in 2008. In a 3 month span, 850 persons allegedly died and more than 100,000 civilians fled their homes. Photo: UN Photo/Mark Garten

Situation 11: Burundi

In October 2017, the Prosecutor opened an investigation proprio motu for alleged crimes against humanity committed in Burundi or by nationals of Burundi outside of Burundi since 26 April 2015 until 26 October 2017. Photo: UN Photo/Martine Perret

“The embodiment of our collective conscience”.
– Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan

Photo: Frank Schinski

Photo: Frank Schinski

True justice is achieved when voices of victims are heard and their suffering is addressed.

ICC Judge Sylvia Steiner communicates with a victim in the Central African Republic via video link. The victim shared his views before the Court during a hearing in open session in the case The Prosecutor v Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo. Photo: ICC-CPI

"I want the world to know what happened".

This victim testified that she was raped by 16 soldiers during an attack on her village in the Central African Republic, and subsequently shunned by her community. With moral support from her sister, she travelled from her village to The Hague to testify in Court. She is the first victim in the Court\'s history to testify without any protection measures, such as face or voice distortion. Photo: Frank Schinski

"I expect justice to be done".

This victim is the second to testify in open Court, without protection measures. Photo: Frank Schinski

The ICC offers victims the opportunity to share their views before the Court. Separate from being a witness for the Prosecution or Defense, victims authorized to participate in Court proceedings can tell their stories and present their views and concerns in the Courtroom.

The Court is offering both a unique forum for victims to become an active participant in prosecuting the perpetrators of the horrible crimes they have suffered, and a cathartic and empowering process for both individual victims and affected communities as a whole.

Court staff member explains how to fill out the form to be authorized to participate in ICC proceedings as a victim.

Legal representative of victims during a hearing. Photo: ICC-CPI

Supporting the Court

The Registry supports the Court so it can conduct fair and effective public proceedings. The Registry is responsible for general court management, security, public information, court records, translation and interpretation, counsel support, support for victims to participate in proceedings and apply for reparations, and much more.

The Registry also coordinates Court briefings for visitors, to explain ICC procedures and raise awareness about the Court. Here, visitors receive an explanation of the E-Court system from the Public Gallery of Courtroom I. Photo: ICC-CPI

Every hearing is interpreted into both English and French, the working languages of the Court. The Court has so far offered Courtroom interpretation in Ahur, Arabic, English, French, Lingala, Sango, Swahili, and Zaghawa.

Court interpreters. Photo: Frank Schinski

Filming Court proceedings from audiovisual booth looking onto the Courtroom. Photo: Frank Schinski

ICC security personnel with the accused in ICC Courtroom 1. Photo: AP/Peter Dejong

The mandate of the Office of the Prosecutor is to receive and analyse referrals and communications in order to determine whether there is a reasonable basis to investigate; to conduct investigations into genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes; and to conduct prosecutions before the Court of persons responsible for such crimes.

Fatou Bensouda, ICC Prosecutor.

ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (right) with the Prosecution team during the opening of a trial, 2018.

Photo: ICC-CPI

The Office is responsible for the conduct of investigations (such as collecting and examining evidence, questioning persons being investigated as well as victims and witnesses). In this respect, the Statute requires the Office to extend the investigation to cover both incriminating and exonerating facts in order to establish the truth. Photo: Skylight Pictures

The ICC holds fair, public trials and ensures that the rights of the defendants are upheld. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty after a trial. A few examples of defendants at different stages of cases are below.

Defendants have the right to choose their lawyers from among those on the List of Counsel before the ICC, maintained by the Registry.

Summonses to appear and warrants of arrest

A summons to appear may be issued by the ICC, in which case the subject may appear voluntarily. Alternatively, the Court may issue a warrant of arrest. In this case, the Court cooperates with national authorities for the arrest and transfer of the person to the ICC Detention Centre. For example, Mr Laurent Gbagbo, former President of Côte d’Ivoire (pictured here), was transferred to the ICC on 30 November 2011. He first appeared in Court on 5 December 2011. Photo: AP/Reporters/Peter Dejong

Delays in arrests

If States are unable to make an arrest, the Court calls for support and broader cooperation to this end. For example, the arrest warrant for Mr Joseph Kony, alleged Commander-in-Chief of the Lord\'s Resistance Army (LRA) (pictured here), was issued in 2005. Though efforts have been made for his arrest, the suspect is still at large. Photo: AP/Reporters/STR

If States do not cooperate to arrest and transfer a person, the Judges may inform the Assembly of States Parties and the United Nations Security Council to take appropriate measures in order to ensure cooperation, as in the cases of non-cooperation regarding the 2009 and 2010 arrest warrants for Mr Omar Al Bashir, President of Sudan (pictured here). Photo: AP/Reporters/Stuart Price

Valid for life

A warrant of arrest is valid for life, unless the Judges withdraw it. Charges are dropped against a person if he or she has been confirmed dead. For example, the charges against Muammar Gaddafi (pictured here) were dropped on 22 November 2011, following official confirmation of his death. Photo: AP/Reporters

Pre-trial stage

At the pre-trial stage, Judges decide whether there is enough evidence against the suspect for the case to go to trial. For example, Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud (pictured here) appeared before the single judge of Pre-Trial Chamber 1 on 4 April 2018.

Trial stage

At the trial stage, Judges decide if the Prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused. Dominic Ongwen (pictured here) is on trial and stands accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed after July 2002 in Northern Uganda. The trial began on 6 December 2016.

Choosing lawyers

Defence Counsel Krispus Ayena Odongo (centre) with his team in the courtroom.

The Defence during the Lubanga case, December 2017

The Registry offers counsel support to Defence Counsel through the Office of Public Counsel for the Defence. Pictured here, from left to right: Mohamed Youssef, Xavier-Jean Keita, Melinda Taylor. Photo: Michael Kooren

Those arrested and in the Court\'s custody are held in the ICC Detention Centre in Scheveningen, on the outskirts of The Hague. The facility is in conformity with widely accepted international standards and inspected by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Residential wing. Photo: ICC-CPI

Standard cell. Photo: ICC-CPI

"To the survivors, who are also the witnesses, and to the bereaved, we owe a justice that must bring not only retribution, but also healing".
– Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan

Statements

Potential witnesses usually give statements in the field. Photo: Skylight Pictures

Journey to The Hague

Many witnesses travel to The Hague for a short time if asked to testify in Court by the Prosecution or Defence. In addition to appearing in Court to be questioned and cross examined, many also experience -- for the first time -- jet lag, cultural differences, language barriers, a cold and damp climate and a foreign cuisine.

The ICC in session.

The familiarization process

Witnesses that come to the ICC to testify in Court first go through a process of "familiarization", during which ICC staff bring them into the Courtroom before the hearing starts, to allow them to sit in the witness stand for the first time and become familiar with the Courtroom. The staff members explain where the Defense lawyers, Prosecution, and Judges will sit during the hearing. They also test out the computer screens and microphones together with the witness, and answer any questions the witness might have.

Witness Protection

Upon a judge’s order, the Court offers several different types of protection measures for witnesses. These can include voice and face distortion, as shown above, or conducting the hearing in closed session. If the witness is not comfortable testifying in front of the defendant, a curtain can be drawn between the witness and the Defence. The witness may also testify from a different location by remote video link. Photo: ICC-CPI

We must be united in our resolve to defeat impunity ...
We must persevere.

Court principals

Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, ICC President.

Mrs Fatou Bensouda, ICC Prosecutor. Photo: ICC-CPI

Mr James Stewart, ICC Deputy Prosecutor. Photo: Max Koot

Mr Peter Lewis, ICC Registrar.

Former principals

Judge Philippe Kirsch, the first ICC President (2003-2009). Photo: ICC-CPI

The first Presidency of the ICC (2003-2006) from left to right: Judge Akua Kuenyehia, Judge Philippe Kirsch and Judge Elizabeth Odio Benito. Photo: Wim Beddegenoodts

The second Presidency of the ICC (2006-2009) from left to right: Judge Akua Kuenyehia, Judge Philippe Kirsch and Judge René Blattmann. Photo: Hans Hordijk

Judge Sang-Hyun Song, the second ICC President. Photo: ANP

The third Presidency of the ICC (2009-2012): Judge Fatoumata Dembele Diarra, Judge Sang Hyun-Song and Judge Hans-Peter Kaul. Photo: Max Koot

Fourth Presidency, from left to right: First Vice-President Sanji Mmasenono Monageng, President Sang Hyun-Song and Second Vice-President Cuno Tarfusser. Photo: Max Koot

Judge Silvia Alejandra Fernández de Gurmendi, ICC President. Photo: Max Koot

Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the first ICC Prosecutor (2003-2012). Photo: Wim Van Cappellen

First ICC Prosecutor Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo (centre) with Deputy Prosecutors Mr Serge Brammertz (left) and Mrs Fatou Bensouda (right), 2005. Photo: Reporters

Mr Bruno Cathala, the first Registrar of the ICC (2003-2008). Photo: Wim Beddegenoodts

Ms Silvana Arbia, the second Registrar of the ICC (2008-2013). Photo: ICC-CPI

Mr Herman von Hebel, the third Registrar of the ICC.

First ICC Judges, 2003. Photo: ICC-CPI

ICC Judges, 2004. Photo: ICC-CPI

ICC Judges, 2009. Photo: Max Koot

ICC Judges, 2010. Photo: Max Koot

ICC Judges, 2012. Photo: Max Koot

ICC Judges, 2015. Photo: Max Koot

ICC Judges, 2018.

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