ICC & ICL Programme Archived News and Events
News releases
IBA convenes officials and diplomats to discuss accountability for international crimes through strengthened support for the ICC
The IBA International Criminal Court and International Criminal Law Programme and IBAHRI convened officials of the ICC and the Assembly of States Parties with state representatives in Geneva. They discussed the role that the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) can play to promote accountability for...
Released on Mar 24, 2025
Arrest and surrender of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC is a critical step towards justice
On 11 March 2025 the former president of the Republic of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested by the country’s authorities on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Released on Mar 14, 2025
US sanctions against the International Criminal Court are denounced by the IBA
The International Bar Association (IBA) denounces sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). The IBA calls on all states to oppose sanctions and respect the judicial independence of the Court.
Released on Feb 07, 2025
As the International Criminal Court faces attacks, the IBA Hague Office repeats call for support
The Hague Office of the International Bar Association (IBA) has reiterated its call for States Parties to demonstrate unequivocal support for the International Criminal Court (ICC or ‘the Court’) and to protect the Court and those who collaborate with it from threats and attacks. The appeal was made during the 23rd session...
Released on Dec 12, 2024
IBA gathers key legal figures to discuss state cooperation for the arrest and surrender of international crime suspects
On 16 October, 2024 at the French Embassy in The Hague, the International Bar Association’s (IBA) International Criminal Court and International Criminal Law (ICC & ICL) Programme convened an expert roundtable to discuss state cooperation for the arrest and surrender of suspects accused of international crimes.
Released on Oct 21, 2024
Mongolia must uphold its obligations as an ICC State Party – arrest Vladimir Putin or cancel his visit
President Vladimir Putin of Russia will make a visit to Mongolia starting on 3 September. Mongolia is a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). As a State Party, Mongolia has obligations under the Rome Statute, including the obligation to…
Released on Sep 02, 2024
Ukrainian legal practitioners visit The Hague for high-level training in international criminal justice
A delegation of 25 Ukrainian legal professionals recently travelled to The Hague to participate in training sessions to expand their knowledge and skills in the field of international criminal justice.
Released on Jun 28, 2024
Singapore Management University wins 2024 IBA ICC Moot Court Competition
The Singapore Management University team has won the 2024 IBA ICC Moot Court Competition.
Released on Jun 10, 2024
IBA ICC Moot Court Competition opens its 2024 session with an address by the ICC President, Judge Akane
The 2024 International Bar Association (IBA) International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Court Competition has begun with a keynote address by ICC President, Judge Tomoko Akane.
Released on Jun 03, 2024
Closing soon, registration for the 2024 IBA ICC Moot Court Competition
The annual International Bar Association (IBA) International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Court Competition is open for registrations for the 2024 edition, taking place from 31 May – 7 June 2024 in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Released on Nov 14, 2023
New IBA report reviews mechanisms to prevent and remedy injustice before international criminal courts and tribunals
The International Bar Association (IBA) International Criminal Court and International Criminal Law (ICC & ICL) Programme has published a new report examining the legal frameworks and practices of international criminal courts and tribunals to remedy international injustice through appeals, retrials, reviews or...
Released on Dec 08, 2022
IBA urges states to increase support and re-sources for the International Criminal Court
The International Bar Association (IBA) urges states to increase support and resources for the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the commencement of the 21st annual session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) – the Court's management oversight and legislative body composed of representatives of the states...
Released on Dec 05, 2022
2022 IBA ICC Moot Court Competition won by The Honourable Society of King’s Inns
The Honourable Society of King’s Inns (Ireland) has been named winner of the 2022 International Bar Association (IBA) International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Court Competition.
Released on Jun 02, 2022
ASP President says this is a time to redouble efforts to demonstrate worth of the ICC to fight impunity
Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, spoke of the need for the ICC to ‘demonstrate its worth’ during a keynote address on Sunday 8 May 2022 at the online opening ceremony of the IBA ICC Moot Court Competition
Released on May 12, 2022
IBA publishes guide for strengthening International Criminal Court and Rome Statute
IBA publishes guide for strengthening International Criminal Court and Rome Statute
Released on Oct 12, 2021
ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda inspires next generation of criminal lawyers at start of IBA ICC Moot Court
At the opening ceremony of the 2021 International Bar Association (IBA) International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Court competition on Sunday 6 June, the ICC’s Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda gave an inspirational speech to the more than 270 students and legal experts gathered online from around the world.
Released on Jun 09, 2021
ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to open virtual annual IBA ICC Moot Court Competition
The International Criminal Court (ICC/the Court) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is to give the keynote address at the start of the annual IBA ICC Moot Court Competition on 6 June 2021.
Released on Jun 04, 2021
IBA welcomes removal of sanctions on ICC Prosecutor and senior official
The International Bar Association (IBA) welcomes the repeal of the sanctions placed by United States former president Donald Trump on International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and Phakiso Mochochoko, the Head of the Jurisdiction, Complementarity and Cooperation Division of the Office of the Prosecutor.
Released on Apr 07, 2021
IBA elevates partnership with Grotius Centre to stage annual moot court competition
In the context of the rule of law under threat in many jurisdictions, the International Bar Association (IBA) has announced a fortified partnership with the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies of Leiden Law School to annually stage the largest moot competition focussed on international criminal law: the final round of which usually takes place at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Released on Mar 18, 2021
IBA welcomes election of new ICC officials
The International Bar Association (IBA) welcomes the election of Karim Khan QC as the next Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and six judges, as well as the new president, vice presidents and members of the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) – the Court's management oversight and legislative body, composed of...
Released on Feb 22, 2021
Lord’s Resistance Army commander Dominic Ongwen convicted at the International Criminal Court
At the end of a complicated trial that had seen several ‘firsts’, on 4 February 2021, Trial Chamber IX of the International Criminal Court (ICC) handed down a guilty verdict for Dominic Ongwen, former child soldier and commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda. In a 1077-page judgment, Mr Ongwen was convicted on 61...
Released on Feb 04, 2021
IBA calls on states to push back against US sanctions on ICC Prosecutor and official
On Wednesday 2 September, United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced that International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and the Head of the Jurisdiction, Complementarity and Cooperation Division (JCCD) Phakiso Mochochoko have been designated by the US State Department for economic sanctions. The International Bar Association (IBA) condemns this latest action by the Trump Administration to harass senior officials….
Released on Sep 03, 2020
A new report highlights the need for state cooperation with international courts
New report from the ICC & ICL Programme calls for greater attention to be paid to the human rights of persons convicted by international courts.
Released on Jun 29, 2020
IBA 2020 ICC Moot Court Memorial Award winners celebrated in virtual event
For the 2020 edition of the International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (ICC Moot Court), more than 170 students representing 49 countries gathered virtually to celebrate the winners of the best memorials – lengthy written briefs prepared by each team for prosecution, defence and government roles – submitted in this year’s competition. On Thursday 11 June, the IBA Best Memorial Award, irrespective of role, went to Temple University of the United States.
Released on Jun 16, 2020
IBA condemns US President’s Executive Order authorising sanctions against International Criminal Court personnel
The International Bar Association (IBA) unequivocally condemns United States President Donald Trump’s issuance of an Executive Order authorising the US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, to block financial assets within the US jurisdiction of International Criminal Court’s (ICC) personnel, and suspend ICC staff, or any persons found to be cooperating with the institution, entry into the country.
Released on Jun 12, 2020
ICC Independent Expert Review group called on to strengthen fair trials and equality of arms
The International Bar Association’s International Criminal Court & International Criminal Law Programme (IBA ICC & ICL Programme) has submitted extensive recommendations to the Group of Independent Experts regarding urgent fair trial concerns at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The submissions draw on the IBA ICC & ICL Programme’s monitoring of fairness and equality of arms at the ICC since 2005.
Released on Apr 16, 2020
IBA urges State Parties’ cooperation and greater support for the International Criminal Court
Released on Dec 09, 2019
News releases archive cont.
2019
- 6 November 2019 | Global organisations gather in The Hague to discuss solutions to bullying and sexual harassment
- 21 October 2019 | IBA holds Expert Roundtable and launches report exploring release at different stages of proceedings
2018
- 13 June 2018 | Mina Karabit to receive 2018 IBA Award for Best Oralist in ICC Moot Court Competition
- 14 May 2018 | IBA Hague Office to mark Rome Statute 20th anniversary with push to wider audience of ICC equality of arms issues
- 1 March 2018 | IBA Hague Office welcomes the first International Criminal Court agreement on the release of persons after acquittal
2017
- 21 December 2017 | Closure of Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia marks end of important chapter for international justice
- 21 November 2017 | ICC receives 2017 Stockholm Human Rights Award and discusses investigation into Afghanistan in Q&A
- 7 September 2017 | International Criminal Court to receive 2017 Stockholm Human Rights Award
- 2 June 2017 | New IBA Award for the Best Oralist in ICC Moot Court Competition given
2016
- 15 November 2016 | IBA panel discusses evidence in international criminal trials at ASP15
- 5 September 2016 | IBA calls for contribution to the ICC Trust Fund for Family Visits
- 21 April 2016 | IBA attends official opening of the permanent premises of the International Criminal Court
2015
- 16 November 2015 | Towards an ICC Association of Counsel (an IBA discussion paper)
- 16 October 2015 | IBA concerned by South Africa's plan to withdraw from the International Criminal Court
- 24 July 2015 | Q&A with Dr. Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the International Bar Association and author of 'Sovereignty and Justice'
Events and Campaigns
2019 | Seeing Justice Through: longterm issues in international justice
An IBA ICC & ICL Programme Experts’ Roundtable Discussion addressing theory, practice, and future perspectives. This event, held on 21 October 2019, was supported by the IBA War Crimes Committee.
Download event brochure Watch keynote address Watch Panel 1 Discussion Watch Panel 2 Discussion
2017 | Expert's Roundtable on Fair Trials and Complementarity
On 6 July 2017, the International Bar Association (IBA) Hague Office organised ‘Fair Trials and Complementarity: An Experts’ Roundtable Discussion addressing Practice, Challenges and Future Perspectives’. The event was attended by 100 delegates including judges, senior officials and staff of international criminal courts and tribunals, diplomats, civil society, and academics.
2016 | Experts' Roundtable on Trials in Absentia in international criminal justice
On 8 June 2016, the International Bar Association International Criminal Court and International Criminal Law Programme convened an ‘Experts’ Roundtable on trials in absentia in international criminal justice’ at The Hague Institute for Global Justice.
2013 | Roundtable discussion - Witnesses under Threat?
On 15 July 2013, the IBA ICC Programme hosted Witnesses under threat? a roundtable discussion on the ICC’s efforts and challenges in managing and protecting witnesses. The event, held at The Hague Institute for Global Justice, marked the launch of the Programme’s latest report, ‘Witnesses before the International Criminal Court’, which encourages reflection on the Court’s reliance on witnesses, assesses its challenges and accomplishments in supporting, protecting and managing witnesses, and provides recommendations for the way forward.
2012 | Roundtable discussion - Raising the Bar: Assessing the relationship between lawyers and the ICC after ten years
On 20 November 2012, the IBA ICC Programme held a panel discussion to launch its report Counsel Matters at the ICC: The role of lawyers in establishing international criminal courts and safeguarding their legacy, during the 1th Assembly of States Parties (ASP) Meeting, in The Hague.
2010 | Roundtable discussion - Great Expectations: exploring individual and mutual responsibilities of states and the ICC
The IBA hosted an experts’ roundtable discussion entitled ‘Great Expectations: exploring individual and mutual responsibilities of states and the International Criminal Court’ on 30 November 2010, at the Peace Palace, The Hague. The panel – comprising ICC Second Vice-President Hans-Peter Kaul, Ambassador of Ireland and ASP Facilitator on Cooperation Mary Whelan, University of Amsterdam Professor Göran Sluiter and ICC International Cooperation Adviser from the Office of the Prosecutor Olivia Swaak-Goldman.
2010 | Calling African Female Lawyers - IBA ICC Campaign
On 12 May 2010, the IBA and the International Criminal Court (ICC) launched a campaign to encourage qualified African women lawyers to apply for admission to the ICC List of Counsel and Lists of Assistants to Counsel. The campaign was launched during a press conference held at the ICC in The Hague.
2010 | Reflections on the 2010 Review Conference: legacy, impact and sustainability of the Rome Statute System
On 19 January 2010 the IBA ICC Programme organised a roundtable discussion on ‘Reflections on the 2010 Review Conference: legacy, impact, and sustainability of the Rome Statute System’. The event featured: Judge Philippe Kirsch, Ambassador Jorge Lomonaco, Ambassador Stephen Rapp and Professor William Schabas. Prior to the Roundtable Discussion, The IBA was able to secure exclusive interviews with the US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes, Stephen Rapp and the former ICC President.
2008 | Roundtable discussion - Making the ICC a global reality through cooperation: perspectives, challenges and strategies
On 12 November 2008, the IBA Roundtable Discussion on ‘Making the ICC a global reality through cooperation: perspectives, challenges and strategies’. The event featured a high-profile panel of experts including the ICC Registrar; the Head of the Jurisdiction, Cooperation and Complementarity Section of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor; the Director of the International Justice Program for Human Rights Watch; and the Focal Point for Cooperation appointed by the Assembly of States Parties. A keynote address was delivered by Judge Theodor Meron, President of the Appeals Chamber for the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. The discussion was moderated by Heikelina Verrijn Stuart and attended by a diverse audience of more than one hundred people. Held under Chatham House rules, the discussion focused on the duty of cooperation imposed by the Rome Statute, the need to enact ICC implementing legislation, best practices and lessons learned on cooperation and technical assistance between States Parties. In addition, timing of enforcement of court’s decision and arrest warrants were said to be the main challenges, together with effective judicial cooperation and standardised cooperation procedures.
2007 | Roundtable discussion - Right to Defence & Equality of Arms before the International Criminal Court
The IBA roundtable discussion of November 2007 represented the first opportunity issues on the role of the defence and defence counsel before the ICC were publicly discussed.