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IBA ICC Outreach

As the International Criminal Court does not exist in a vacuum, the Outreach component to the Programme aims to deepen understanding of the place of the ICC both within the broader landscape of international justice and at the local level.  Outreach work should not be seen as a one-way process.  Rather, the IBA aims to share and provide feedback on its activities to all key stakeholders and seeks to develop a contextual and sustained approach to outreach on the ICC. 

The IBA has adopted the following bi-folded strategy for outreach:


THE WIDER IBA MEMBERSHIP

The IBA has a membership of 30,000 lawyers and 195 Bar Associations.  The outreach component to the Programme will disseminate information and promote discussion on the ICC through this membership network.  This will include regular updates on the activities of the Court and the ICC Monitoring and Outreach Programme.  Regular sessions on the ICC will be held at each Annual IBA Conferences, such as those held in Chicago (September 2006) and Singapore (October 2007). General Outreach is also conducted among legal professionals and other relevant stakeholders working closely with the ICC.

On 19 October 2007 the IBA Council in Singapore adopted the ICC Resolution calling for a greater engagement of bar associations with the work of the ICC. The Outreach component will collaborate with member organisations to translate the Resolution into concrete actions.

Click here for the Press Release and the ICC Resolution [October 2007]

On November 27, 2007 the IBA organised a Round Table Discussion on the Right to Defence and Equality of Arms before the ICC at the prestigious premises of the Peace Palace in the Hague (The Netherlands). The event was attended by more than 130 participants, including diplomats, judges, senior ICC officials, representatives of other international tribunals and international non-governmental organisations, lawyers and law professors.

Guest speakers for the event included: Mr. Bruno Cathala, Registrar, ICC; Mr. Jean Flamme, Attorney, Former Lead Counsel of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo before the ICC; Mr. Xavier-Jean Keïta, Principal Counsel, Office of the Public Counsel for Defence; Mr. David Tolbert, Deputy Prosecutor, ICTY. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Todd Benjamin, Journalist, CNN Networks and it was held under Chatham House Rules.

The main question behind the Round Table discussion was whether equality of arms is achievable before the ICC. In answering this question the round table opened with a discussion on the resources allowed to the defence team before the ICC. The issue of Competence of Defence Counsel and the role of the Prosecution before the ICC were also extensively discussed. Overall the round table represented the first opportunity to publicly discuss equality of arms and the role of defence counsel before the ICC, which was welcomed by participants.

Click here for the Round Table Discussion Program



Bar Leaders

Bar Associations and Law Societies play a key leadership role in mobilising the technical expertise of their members on key issues of international law.  The IBA aims to engage Bar Leaders on the ways in which they can use the establishment of the ICC as a catalyst for strengthening commitment to international law within the national context.  The IBA plans to issue guidelines of the role bar associations can play in advancing ratification and implementation of the Rome Statute as well as facilitate closer consultations between the legal profession and the Registry of the ICC.
 
The First Annual Bar Leaders Conference was held in London during May 2006 and included a session on The International Criminal Court: Ratification and Implementing Legislation.  The session explored the role Bar Leaders can play in promoting ratification and implementation; providing expert analysis of existing domestic laws and their compatibility with the Rome Statute; ensuring broad participation and contribution to domestic drafting processes; and information-sharing and coordination with other bar associations involved in similar initiatives. 

The forthcoming Bar Leaders’ Conference in Amsterdam (14-18 May 2008) will be used as an opportunity to discuss concrete ways for engaging with the ICC more closely.


PARTNERSHIPS IN KEY COUNTRIES

In order to promote a sustained approach to outreach and develop a deeper understanding of how the ICC fits within the broader landscape of international justice in specific contexts, the IBA works in key countries in partnership with bar associations and civil society organisations.  On a periodic basis, all of the findings and recommendations from the outreach work in key countries are fed back to the Court itself with the view to creating a dialogue between local partners and the Court.

The methodology and approach of the IBA's outreach is not predetermined but is being developed in consultation with a broad range of partners and stakeholders in particular countries.  The IBA can, however, use a wide range of resources to further outreach work and build on existing initiatives at the local level.  Tools include using consultative workshops, press releases, news articles, concept papers, guidelines and handbooks.

In the past our outreach activities have mostly involved legal practitioners from India and Uganda. However it has emerged that most misconceptions about the ICC are generated and disseminated in fora far away from situation countries. Moreover with the ICC increased volume of work and the operational challenges posed by the opening of a fourth situation country, the issue of states’ cooperation has taken on new urgency.

In 2007/09 the IBA’s outreach work will extend its geographical coverage beyond the limits of the ongoing situations subject to investigation by the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor. The IBA will work in countries whose position as regional leaders empowers them to affect the Court, namely India, Malaysia, Mexico and South Africa.

In partnership with local bar associations a series of in-country seminars, conferences and training targeting legal professionals and key government officials will be organised to strengthen local commitment to international law.


NEW!! : Regional workshop on India and South Asia perspective on the International Criminal Court, 16 February 2008, New Delhi, India


Click here for the Press Release and the second IBA Outreach Report [May 2007]

Click here for the Press Release and the first IBA Outreach Report [June 2006]

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