>BUREAU DU PROCUREUR
>
>PRESS RELEASE
>
>No.: ICC/OTP/2004.013-EN
>
>23 June 2004
>
>
>
>THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT OPENS ITS
>FIRST INVESTIGATION
>
>
>
>
>
>The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis
>Moreno-Ocampo, announced his decision to open the first investigation of
>the ICC. The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) will investigate grave crimes
>allegedly committed on the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo
>(DRC) since 1 July 2002. The decision to open an investigation was taken
>after thorough consideration of the jurisdiction and admissibility
>requirements of the Rome Statute. The Prosecutor has concluded that an
>investigation of grave crimes in the DRC will be in the interest of
>justice and of the victims.
>
>
>
>The OTP has been closely analyzing the situation in the DRC since July
>2003, initially with a focus on crimes committed in the Ituri region. In
>September 2003 the Prosecutor informed the States Parties that he was
>ready to request authorization from the Pre-Trial Chamber to use his own
>powers to start an investigation, but that a referral and active support
>from the DRC would assist his work. In a letter in November 2003 the
>government of the DRC welcomed the involvement of the ICC and in March
>2004 the DRC referred the situation in the country to the Court.
>
>
>
>Millions of civilians have died as a result of conflict in the DRC since
>the 1990s. The Courts jurisdiction extends to crimes committed after 1
>July 2002, when the Rome Statute of the ICC came into force. States,
>international organizations and non-governmental organizations have
>reported thousands of deaths by mass murder and summary execution in the
>DRC since 2002. The reports allege a pattern of rape, torture, forced
>displacement and the illegal use of child soldiers.
>
>
>
>Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, said:
>
>
>
>The opening of the first investigation of the ICC is a major step forward
>for international justice, against impunity and for the protection of victims.
>
>
>
>The decision to launch an investigation has been taken with the
>cooperation of the DRC, other governments and international organizations.
>
>
>
>The Chief Prosecutor underscored his intention to focus the investigation
>on the perpetrators most responsible for grave crimes under the
>jurisdiction of the ICC now being committed in the DRC.
>
>
>
>Since the Chief Prosecutor assumed office last year the OTP has grown from
>7 staff members to 55 members today. By the end of 2004 it is expected to
>grow further to some 120 members. The investigative staff of the OTP,
>headed by Deputy Prosecutor Serge Brammertz, includes professionals and
>NGO investigators with an international background.
>
>
>
>The Rome Statute of the ICC makes a distinction between a preliminary
>analysis and a formal investigation of a situation where crimes under the
>Courts jurisdiction are allegedly being committed. Before initiating an
>investigation the Prosecutor must analyze the available information and
>ensure that the conditions laid down in the Rome Statute are satisfied.
>
>
>
>
>
>For questions and further information please contact Christian Palme,
>Media Relations Officer of the OTP. He can be reached at + 31 (0) 70 515
>8487 (office) or + 31 (0) 64 616 3997 (mobile).
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>To: email:
> Unsubscribe: icc-info-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Subscribe: icc-info-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Contact owner: icc-info-owner@yahoogroups.com
> Get help: icc-info-help@yahoogroups.com
> Get 1 post/day: icc-info-digest@yahoogroups.com
> Stop email: icc-info-nomail@yahoogroups.com
> Restore defaults: icc-info-normal@yahoogroups.com
>
>Para suscribirse a la lista en espanol,
> envie un email a: noticias-cpi-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>Pour souscrire a la liste d'information en français,
> envoyer un e-mail: reseau-cpi-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
><http://groups.yahoo.com/group/icc-info/messages>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/icc-info/messages
> Coalition for an International Criminal Court:
> <http://www.iccnow.org>http://www.iccnow.org
>
>
>
>----------
>Yahoo! Groups Links
> * To visit your group on the web, go to:
> *
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/icc-info/>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/icc-info/
>
> *
> * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> *
> <mailto:icc-info-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe>icc-info-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> *
> * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Nov 14 2007 - 20:45:32 PST