Calling African Female Lawyers - IBA/ICC campaign

Press conference panel
L-R: Carine Bapita, Silvana Arbia, Mark Ellis and Hélène Cissé © ICC-CPI

Campaign Update, March 2011

Following an evaluation of the IBA/ICC Calling African Female Lawyers Campaign, the initiative has been extended into 2011. The IBA and The Court plan to hold several events throughout 2011, to promote and encourage qualified African Female Lawyers to sign up to practise at the ICC.

• Complete Report on 2010 Calling African Female Lawyers Campaign
• Read Press Release, March 2011
   

About the Campaign

The Calling African Female Lawyers Campaign is a joint IBA/ICC initiative to encourage qualified female african lawyers to sign up to practise at the ICC. The Campaign was launched on 12 May 2010, during a press conference held at the ICC in The Hague.

• Watch the IBA Executive Director Mark Ellis and the ICC Court Registrar Silvana Arbia address the press conference
• Read remarks from Mark Ellis.

Background

Female lawyers are integral to the effective functioning of the ICC. As of January 2010, only 61 of a total of 335 counsel registered to practise before the ICC, are women. Despite the under-representation of women on the List of Counsel, women have already made significant contribution to the ICC’s work since its inception. Notably, the first ever defendant before the ICC, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, is represented by a woman (Maitre Catherine Mabille).

 Women lawyers with expertise in gender-based violence can help to ensure effective representation of victims of sexual crimes. Currently, a number of   African women lawyers are representing victims before the ICC. For example, Carine Bapita represents victims in the case against Thomas Lubanga Dyilo,  Marie Edith Douzima-Lawson appears for victims in the case against Jean-Pierre Bemba and Hélène Cissé represented victims in the case against Mr  Bahr Idriss Abu Garda.
Carine Bapita

A unique opportunity for women

Practicing at the ICC presents a unique opportunity for female lawyers, especially those from countries with situations under investigation, to meaningfully contribute to international criminal justice. The ICC List Counsel provides a unique opportunity for women lawyers practising at the national level to receive training, develop key legal skills and networking opportunities in the field of international criminal law and the ICC. This training can also be utilised in national legal systems, a clear example of positive complementarity at work.

• Further information on ICC List Counsel and applying