Civil society and the ICC

Civil society organisations played a key role in advocating for the creation of the ICC, and NGOs continue to be important intermediaries for the Court in helping to raise awareness about the ICC worldwide and advocating for the universal acceptance of the Rome Statute.

Dialogue between the Court and NGOs is ongoing. A number of events are held with civil society groups in the countries where the Court is investigating. The ICC and the Coalition for the ICC (CICC) also hold an annual roundtable on issues of mutual interest with representatives of international and local NGOs at the seat of the Court in The Hague. In addition, the Coalition for the ICC is an observer to the Assembly of States Parties (ASP)– ICC’s governing and oversight body. NGOs interested in these events can contact the Coalition for the ICC or contact the ASP Secretariat.

For NGOs interested in entering into a more formal role as intermediary for the Court, the ICC has adopted Guidelines Governing the relations between the Court and Intermediaries, which guide these relations.

Submit information

If you have information on alleged crimes, communications and claims can be submitted to the Office of the Prosecutor:

Mail: Information and Evidence Unit, Office of the Prosecutor, Post Office Box 19519, 2500 CM The Hague, The Netherlands

Or electronically: through the OTPLink

Useful links

• Guidelines Governing the Relations between the Court and Intermediaries for the Organs and Units of the Court and Counsel working with intermediaries (March 2014)
• Code of conduct for intermediaries (March 2014)
• Model contract for intermediaries (March 2014)