World Cup football- more than just a beautiful game

The search for the next International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor continues. Much has happened since the vacancy announcement was published on August 2, 2019 and there is still a long way to go. The Committee on the Election of the Prosecutor (CEP ), duly established by the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) in 2019, […]

20.11.19 | 0 Comments An investigation by BBC Panorama and the Sunday Times has revealed what 11 detectives have called “credible evidence” of war crimes committed by British soldiers in Iraq. This will not come as news to those who are aware of the European Centre for Constitutional Human Rights (ECCHR)’s file that was submitted to the Office of […]

On 4 September last week the UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi released its latest report. The situation in Burundi continues to warrant deep concern as grave human rights violations persist. Experts estimate that it may only get worse as the 2020 elections draw closer. After all, it was a political crisis in 2015 election […]

Last week the International Criminal Court (ICC) acquitted Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé from all charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Côte d’Ivoire in 2010/ 2011, a devastating blow to the victims and prosecution witnesses.  It has given the Court’s critics ammunition to further discredit the institution as they view acquittals as a […]

**By Navi Pillay and Angela Mudukuti This article first appeared in the Daily Maverick on 19 June 2018 The introduction of the International Crimes Bill before the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, two weeks ago, signals steadfast resolve to eventually withdraw from the Rome Statute. Impetus and momentum for withdrawal was generated by […]

On 11 March the International Criminal Court judges elected, by majority vote, Nigerian Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji as president for a three-year term. He is the first African to hold the position. Could his election assuage African leaders who remain convinced that the ICC is an institution led by westerners’ hell bent on targeting Africans leaders? […]

The international criminal justice world is buzzing with activity, South Africa chose to make a spectacle of itself by reminding the world that it intends to leave the Rome Statute and ICC judges referred Jordan to the United Nations Security Council for failure to arrest President Bashir, a consequence that South Africa escaped despite being […]

There are great changes afoot on the international criminal justice landscape. Last week the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court announced its decision to request judicial authorisation for an investigation into the situation in Afghanistan. Given that this situation involves investigating the conduct of American troops, it could do wonders for […]

Last week on 27 October 2017 Burundi’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court became effective, making it the first country to leave the ICC. Given the ongoing perpetration of human rights violations, and lack of accountability, the future of the east African nation hangs in the balance. With the Burundi’s presidential office calling it a […]

In 2003, the UK and the US charged into Iraq on the basis of faulty intelligence pointing to the housing of weapons of mass destruction and allegations that Saddam Hussein was supporting Al Qaeda. The consequences of these actions have come back to haunt former Prime Minister Tony Blair who is currently being pursued for […]