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Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2011/01/26/follow-casin-on-twitter/
Jan 25
NEW SUSPECT IN CUSTODY AT THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
Coalition for the ICC
MEDIA ADVISORY
25 January 2011
Rwandan Leader Callixte Mbarushimana Transferred to The Hague for Alleged
Crimes in the Kivu Provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
WHAT: On 25 January 2011, Callixte Mbarushimana was transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague (Netherlands) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He
was arrested on 11 October 2010 by French authorities pursuant to an ICC arrest warrant issued under seal on 28 September 2010.
WHO: Callixte Mbarushimana is a Rwandan citizen and the Executive Secretary of the Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda – Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi (FDLR-FCA). Callixte Mbarushimana is suspected of crimes against
humanity (murder, torture, rape, persecution and inhumane acts) and war crimes (attacks against the civilian population, destruction of property, murder, torture, rape and inhuman treatment).
HOW: Following the issuance of the a sealed ICC arrest warrant on 28 September 2010, a request for assistance in the arrest and surrender of the suspect was sent to the French authorities by the ICC Registrar on 30 September 2010. An Appeals
Court in Paris approved the surrender of the suspect to the ICC in early November 2010, a decision that was approved on 4 January 2011 by the “Cour de Cassation”, the highest court in the French judiciary.
NEXT STEPS: Callixte Mbarushimana will soon make an initial appearance before ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I. According to article 60 of the Rome Statute, upon the surrender of a suspect, he or she must appear in a hearing before the Court, in which
the Pre- Trial Chamber must ensure that the person has been informed of the crimes which he or she is alleged to have committed, and of his or her rights under the Statute, including the right to apply to the Pre-Trial Chamber for interim release
pending trial. Callixte Mbarushimana will then choose a permanent counsel to represent him before the Court and begin preparations for the confirmation of charges hearing.
COMMENTS: Several NGO members of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court —a civil society network in 150 countries advocating for a fair, effective and independent ICC and improved access to justice for victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity — have long been calling on the ICC Prosecutor to accelerate his investigation in the Kivus.
Convenor of the Coalition William R. Pace commended the French authorities for their role in the arrest and transfer of Callixte Mbarushimana, adding that “governments cooperation on arrests are indispensable and of vital importance to the work of the ICC in bringing perpetrators of grave crimes to justice.”
“The same level of cooperation should be ensured by the DRC and the United Nations in the case of former rebel commander and war crimes suspect Bosco Ntaganda who is enjoying complete liberty in the Kivus, the same region where ICC
suspect Callixte Mbarushimana is alleged to have committed crimes,” Mr. Pace added.
“The Coalition urges the Court to strengthen outreach activities in the Kivus,” Mr. Pace emphasized. “It is essential that victims be informed of the arrest and of the Court’s mandate and procedures so that they can make an informed decision about
their right to participate and can follow the Court’s progress if they so choose,” he concluded.
BACKGROUND: On 4 November 2008, ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo issued a public statement to remind the actors of the conflict in the DRC that the ICC had jurisdiction over the crimes committed against the civilian population in North and South Kivu after 1 July 2002, and that his office was closely monitoring the situation.
Kivu is a region in the northeast area of the DRC that borders Lake Kivu. North and South Kivu has long been a site of conflict involving a number of actors, including the Forces Democratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), the Armed Forces of
the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), the Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP) and the MONUSCO.
The DRC is one of five situations under investigations by the ICC. It was formally referred to the Court by the DRC government on 19 April 2004, and the prosecutor
officially opened an investigation on 23 June 2004. Five arrest warrants have been issued in the DRC situation, and two trials are ongoing for Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, Germain Katanga and Matthieu Ngudjolo Chui.
The ICC is the world’s first permanent international court to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. There are currently 114 states that are party to the Rome
Statute, the governing legislation of the ICC. Central to the ICC’s mandate is the principle of complementarity, which holds that the Court will only intervene if national legal systems are
unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute. To date, the ICC has opened investigations in five situations: the Central African Republic; Darfur, Sudan; Uganda; Democratic Republic
of Congo and Kenya. It has publicly issued twelve arrest warrants and three summonses to appear. Three trials are ongoing. The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has made public that it is examining at least ten situations on four continents, including Afghanistan, Chad, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Georgia, Guinea, Honduras, South Korea, Nigeria and Palestine.
The Coalition for the International Criminal Court is a global network of civil society organizations in 150 countries advocating for a fair, effective and independent ICC and
improved access to justice for victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Coalition NGO experts are available for interviews and background. List available upon request to maillet@coalitionfortheicc.org For additional information, please visit the Coalition’s website at: www.coalitionfortheicc.org
Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2011/01/25/new-suspect-in-custody-at-the-international-criminal-court/
Jan 25
Call for Papers, Eyes on the ICC
Call for Papers 2011-2012:
Eyes on the ICC is the first peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal dedicated exclusively to the work of the International Criminal Court and international criminal law.
The journal, published annually by the Council for American Students in International Negotiations, invites quality submissions for its seventh volume from practitioners, scholars, jurists, and professionals in fields related to international criminal law and policy. Occasionally, exceptional student work will be accepted. Manuscripts are accepted on a rolling basis until August 15, 2011.
Manuscripts must be computer-generated and submitted electronically via e-mail to icc@americanstudents.us, or via Berkeley Electronic Press’s ExpressO submission service, at http://law.bepress.com/expresso.
Each submission should contain an abstract, the author’s CV, appropriate contact information, and a cover letter. Articles and Notes may range in length from 25 to 80 pages, double-spaced. Book reviews range from 1,000 to 2,500 words. Submissions should adhere closely to the Chicago Manual of Style and cite sources in legal format according to the Harvard Blue Book.
Authors are encouraged to seek comments on their manuscripts from colleagues within their discipline. The journal invites commentary on the quality of its submissions, whether by private correspondence or published letter.
Correspondence not directly related to the submission process should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Bernhard Kuschnik, at bernhard@americanstudents.us.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2011/01/25/call-for-papers-eyes-on-the-icc-2/
Dec 14
For International Criminal Court, Frustration and Missteps in Its First Trial
For International Criminal Court, Frustration and Missteps in Its First Trial
By MARLISE SIMONS
THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court has all the trappings of a weighty institution: 18 judges, a large corps of prosecutors, a multimillion-dollar budget and its own prison cells. But the court is facing mounting criticism over the handling of its first case, which may be coming apart after more than four years.
Even longtime supporters of the court, established in The Hague to deal with large-scale atrocities, say they are frustrated by what many call the unacceptably slow pace and numerous missteps that have dragged out the trial, in which Thomas Lubanga, a Congolese militia leader, faces charges of committing war crimes by conscripting children.
Judges have twice ended proceedings and ordered Mr. Lubanga’s release, because, they said, the prosecution erred in dealing with evidence and refused to carry out their “unequivocal orders,” making a fair trial impossible.
Both times, appeals judges ordered the trial resumed and errors redressed. But tensions over a range of issues between the prosecution and the judges continue.
Now, deep into the trial, the defense has produced new evidence that may undermine the entire case, namely claims by several witnesses that Congolese researchers for the prosecution enlisted some witnesses to fabricate evidence.
“The whole trial has been a nightmare since the disputes between judges and the prosecutor began in 2008,” said William A. Schabas, who teaches human rights law at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and follows the court. Relations between the bench and the prosecution have become “ugly and unhealthy,” he said. “There appears almost a breakdown between the two sides.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/world/europe/22court.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=international%20criminal%20court&st=cse
Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2010/12/14/for-international-criminal-court-frustration-and-missteps-in-its-first-trial/
Dec 01
I bought an article
Hi. I bought an article from Claire Lauterbach, called “Commitment to the ICC among sub-Saharan Africa States”, through Paypal.
Data: Dec 1, 2010 23:20:28 GMT+00:00
Transaction ID: 5HM69913LW116073U
I would like to know how can I get this article on my e-mail, please
Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2010/12/01/i-bought-an-article/
Oct 21
Now Accepting Applications- CASIN DELEGATIONS
Calling All Student Delegates:
CASIN is Now Accepting Applications to Attend the 9th Session of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court!
Where: United Nations Headquarters New York, NY
When: December 6th 2010- December 10th 2010
The Council for American Students in International Negotiations (CASIN) strives to deepen the commitment of American students to multilateral institutions through scholarship, discourse, and engagement in international policy. One of our key initiatives is to expose students to international diplomacy in action on a number of topics. At this conference, students will have the opportunity to observe proceedings of the Assembly of States Parties, the governing body of the International Criminal Court.
Interested in attending? Please contact Anna Sandor at anna.sandor@americanstudents.us for further information and for the conference application. The application is due November 1st!
Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2010/10/21/now-accepting-applications-casin-delegations/
Oct 04
Position Opening: Compliance Director
Position Opening: Compliance Director Job:
The Compliance Director is responsible for directing programs, policies, and practices to ensure that all CASIN units are in compliance with financial policy and reporting regulations.
Job Duties:
1. Track laws and regulations that might affect the organization’s policies and implements necessary changes
2. File all necessary forms (incl. annual CHAR 500 forms) to remain in compliance with relevant federal, state, and local laws
3. Draft resolutions as required and maintain corporate record book of the organization
4. Implement written policies, procedures, and standards of conduct
5. Assist other committees with legal issues that may arise
Questions? E-mail Amber Patel at amber@americanstudents.us
To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to Anna Sandor at anna.sandor@americanstudents.us
Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2010/10/04/position-opening-compliance-director/
Oct 04
Social Media and Database Internship Opening
CASIN is looking to recruit a Social Media and Database Intern!
This is a great Opportunity to get involved in our organization for those with social media and organizational skills. This will be conducted completely with online communication and can be done from home!
CASIN seeks a budding social media guru to aid in revamping CASIN’s social media strategy and outreach. This intern would also be responsible for some database management. This is an unpaid, part-time internship with opportunity to develop communication, outreach and marketing skills at a nonprofit with national reach.
CASIN: The Council for American Students in International Negotiations is a membership-based society that strives to deepen the commitment of American students to multilateral discourse through scholarship and engagement with intergovernmental and supranational institutions and the processes that govern them.
CASIN is an educational non-profit, non-governmental 501(c)(3) organization providing young Americans unprecedented access to the international policymaking process. Its primary activities consist of (1) organizing student delegations to meetings of supranational and intergovernmental bodies such as the United Nations, the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Pan-American Health Organization, and the Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms; and (2) the production of peer-reviewed scholarly journals on topics of international importance.
The ideal candidate will have
- Proven success with social media strategy
- Photoshop skills
- HTML skills
- Commitment to CASIN’s mission
-Interest in International Justice
- Experience with student organizations
- Experience with student organizations
Application instructions:
To apply please send a resume and a cover letter to Anna Sandor at anna.sandor@americanstudents.us
We are looking to fill the internship ASAP.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2010/10/04/social-media-and-database-internship-opening/
Sep 29
VOICES OF THE FUTURE: Official Newsletter of the Council for American Students in International Negotiations (CASIN)
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. CASIN Celebrates International Justice Day
2. CASIN Chair; Apply to Join the Board or become an Intern
3. Calling All Student Delegates: Attend the 9th Session of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court
4. CASIN Delegate Attends ICC Review Conference
5. Become a Member of CASIN
- Make a Donation
- Subscribe to a CASIN Journal
- Give Feedback
1. CASIN Celebrates International Justice Day
International Justice Day celebrates the progress of the ICC toward ending impunity for violators of grave human rights abuses and gives civil society the opportunity to raise awareness of the court and press for increased involvement. CASIN joined in celebrating International Justice Day on July 17th. CASIN was a co-sponsor of a rally in Union Square commemorating the inception of the International Criminal Court and calling for New Yorkers to rally for US support of the ICC. The American Non-Governmental Organizations Coalition for the International Criminal Court’s Convener John Washburn spoke at the rally, discussing the evolution of international law. In addition, a group of Sudanese activists gave personal testimony to the importance of international criminal justice.
2. CASIN Chair; Apply to Join the Board or Intern
The CASIN Board of Directors elected Chris Worthington as the new Board Chair. Chris has been involved with CASIN since 2009 and possesses a B.A. at The George Washington University. Elected every six months, the Board Chair is responsible for leading monthly meetings and determining the overall direction of the organization. For any questions about the workings of the Board, or to welcome him to his new position, please e-mail clworthington@americanstudents.us
Apply to Become a Member of the Board
Dedicated CASIN members are encouraged to apply for a seat on the CASIN Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is the executive body of the organization, charged with hiring hiring officers and staff and coordinating various program areas. To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to board@americanstudents.us.
Apply to Intern with CASIN
CASIN seeks a Social Media Intern to aid in revamping CASIN’s social media strategy and outreach. The ideal candidate will have proven success with social media strategy, Photoshop skills, HTML skills, and a commitment to CASIN’s mission. To apply, (or to receive the formal description of the position) please send a resume and a cover letter to board@americanstudents.us.
3. Calling All Student Delegates: Attend the 9th Session of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court
Where: United Nations Headquarters New York, NY
When: December 6th 2010- December 10th 2010
The Council for American Students in International Negotiations (CASIN) strives to deepen the commitment of American students to multilateral institutions through scholarship, discourse, and engagement in international policy. One of our key initiatives is to expose students to international diplomacy in action on a number of topics. At this conference, students will have the opportunity to observe proceedings of the Assembly of States Parties, the governing body of the International Criminal Court.
Interested in attending? Please contact Anna Sandor at anna.sandor@americanstudents.us for further information and conference application.
4. CASIN Delegate Attends ICC Review Conference
CASIN delegate, Adrian Taylor, attended the t Review Conference for the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which took place between the 31st of May and the 11th of June in Kampala, Uganda. The three items on the agenda for review were the addition of specific weapons to the list of war crimes in a non-international armed conflict (Article 8), the reassessment of the transitional provision (Article 124), and the crime of aggression. Early in the second week, it was decided to leave Article 124 as is, and additions to Article 8 were approved. Aggression, however, would take a good deal more effort. It was not until after midnight on the last night of the conference that consensus was reached; for the first time in history, there is a legally binding definition of aggression, as well as an establishment of individual criminal responsibility. Work on this point is far from over, and entry into force is a long way off, but the foundations have been laid and progress is now possible.
Aside from the amendments, the Review Conference also undertook a retrospective on the work thus far. In the general debate sessions, complimentarity, cooperation, victim and witness participation, and a number of other items were discussed. The culmination was a report on each item, taking into account the work done and decisions on how to proceed. The most remarkable point to this process is that it directly involved those who were affected by situations before the court. Victims, witnesses, NGOs, and government representatives worked together to determine the lessons learned and how best to avoid the mistakes of the past .
5. Become a Member of CASIN
Not a member yet? Membership is free, and not only does it map you into a network of students, professors, and professionals working in international law and international relations, but it entitles you to some great benefits, too.
Signing up takes just a minute, and undergraduates, graduate students, recent graduates, young professionals, professors, and practitioners are all welcome. For questions about membership, please contact anja@americanstudents.us.
Want to make a donation? We depend upon donations from members and supporters to make our work possible. Donations are tax-deductible, and no amount is too small.
Subscribe to a CASIN Journal
As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, sales of CASIN journals go toward supporting our program areas. The journals themselves give American students unique opportunities to work hand-in-hand with top international scholars and explore issues in international law and policy in depth. Print and online access is available to current and back issues for individuals and institutions. To subscribe, please visit the web pages of Eyes on the ICC or IJHRL.
Have a Suggestion for CASIN? Email anna.sandor@americanstudents.us
Thank you you for continued interest and support. Please keep in touch!
Sincerely,
–The Board of Directors
Council for American Students in International Negotiations (CASIN)
Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2010/09/29/voices-of-the-future-official-newsletter-of-the-council-for-american-students-in-international-negotiations-casin/
Jun 20
Maternal Mortality- Progress but not Enough
Guest Blogger: Anna Sandor
Maternal Mortality—Progress, but not Enough
43rd Commission on Population and Development
The theme of the 43rd UN Commission on Population and Development concentrated on Health, Morbidity and Mortality; however, a primary sub-topic was that of extending health care to all by exposing and rectifying gender inequality. Protecting women is important for multiple reasons—the most obvious being that they are the key to ensuring a healthy population and sustainable birth rates. Birth rates, in turn, directly impact economic development through human capital. Thus, if a sustainable and healthy growth rate of economic development is directly in the country’s interest, and this economic growth can only be reached only through gender empowerment, it is imperative for countries to address the specific health care access issues that women face. The New York Times, during the convention, published an article about the decline in overall maternal morbidity globally. Despite this, a common theme at the convention was the use of the NYT article by NGOs and country representatives as motivation to continue efforts to reduce gender inequalities instead of as a reason to slow them down. After all, the situation remains dire in developing and least developed countries. Pregnancy and childbirth is still the leading cause (globally) of death in 16-25 women. 54 million people worldwide still suffer from complications with pregnancy. In addition, sexual and reproductive problems are still 18% of the global disease burden. Maternal mortality is especially grave in Sub-Saharan Africa, where women face a 1 in 16 lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy related causes. Every country has a responsibility to reduce maternal mortality rates in order to advance human fulfillment, as well as economic development Thus, a major theme at the conference was that the recent NYT article should not dissuade us from continued efforts towards progress, but should remind us of all the work that is left.
Despite the positive advancements globally, maternal deaths in East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa fail to be adequately addressed. Moreover, the international community has a moral and social obligation to commit to addressing maternal mortality in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, 6, and 3. These involve reducing child mortality, improving maternal health through universal access to reproductive health care, combating HIV/AIDS (1.5 million of the 2 million that die each year from HIV are children and women and women are 1.2 times more likely to be infected than men), and promoting gender equality. Three of the eight Millennium Development Goals are related to health. Most of these, particularly reproductive health, are important for the short-run, as well as long-run Millennium Development Success.
In order to continue advancing towards the goal, barriers in ensuring women’s health must be tackled. Unequal access issues must be addressed. Tackling these barriers requires initiatives at local and national levels to ensure sustainability. One barrier to access is the lack of a working health care system. Delivering an functional health care system requires effective engineering. The second large barrier is social inequality. Social and legal disadvantages yield unequal power relations and are a major obstacle in health care access for women. Empowerment of women is vital to ensure women’s health and ensures lower rates of gender based violence. This is vital, because women that are abused are 50% more likely to be HIV positive (according to Planned Parenthood).
Another barrier is the lack of access to family planning. Funding for this globally has almost halved and universal access to reproductive health has suffered as a result. According to the International Planned Parenthood Federation, one of the main pillars of development is family planning. Efforts to reform family planning should continue through civil society organizations that complement government organizations. After all, the facts are stark: 215 million people don’t have access to contraceptives. Access would prevent millions of unwanted pregnancies.
Global cooperation is clearly needed on the issue of maternal morbidity. Internationally funded support programs are imperative. This requires advocates and politicians to raise awareness. Many NGOs at the Commission recommended increased budget allocations towards women’s health. Some even recommended that donor countries commit . Seven percent of GDP to global and domestic programs for reproductive rights. The next commission will concentrate on adolescence and youth, and the role of maternal morbidity will be a continuing theme at this commission as well.
Permanent link to this article: http://www.americanstudents.us/2010/06/20/maternal-morality-progress-but-not-enough/