Five ICC judges to be sworn in on 11 March 2009

On Wednesday 11 March 2009 five judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who were elected last January by the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, shall make a solemn undertaking in open court to exercise their functions impartially and conscientiously. The ceremony will start at 10.30 a.m. at the seat of the Court in The Hague.

The following judges will be sworn in:

• Ms Fumiko SAIGA (Japan);
• Ms Joyce ALUOCH (Kenya);
• Ms Sanji Mmasenono MONAGENG (Botswana);
• Ms Christine VAN DEN WYNGAERT (Belgium);
• Mr Cuno TARFUSSER (Italy).

Later in the day a plenary session will be held in which the judges will elect the members of the next Presidency and assign the judges to the various divisions.

All media wishing to cover the ceremony are requested to complete the accreditation form and send it to: [email protected] or fax it to + 31 (0)70 515 8567. Media who are already accredited with the ICC do not have to complete another accreditation form, but are kindly requested to confirm by e-mail or fax their attendance at this event. Photographs of the solemn undertaking will be provided to the media by the Court.

The application for accreditation will close on Friday 27 February 2009 at 5.00 p.m. following which all applicants will be notified of acceptance by email. ICC press cards will be handed out upon presentation of a valid passport or valid ID with a photo. Please note that access to the Court’s premises will not be permitted without prior accreditation.

The ceremony will be broadcast on the ICC website.

Parking area for media

This zone is located at the corner of Regulusweg and Wegastraat (see map).

For further information please contact Ms Laurence Blairon, Spokesperson and Head of the Public Affairs Unit, Public Information and Documentation Section, at +31 (0)70 515 87 14 or +31 (0) 6 46 44 88 89 or at [email protected].