ICC President concludes official visit to Nigeria
On 5 November 2013, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Sang-Hyun Song met with President of Nigeria H.E. Mr Goodluck Jonathan in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. This meeting, held at the invitation of President Jonathan, aimed at discussing issues of mutual concern, including the Court’s relationship with the African Union (AU).
President Jonathan assured the ICC President of Nigeria's commitment to the ICC and the fundamental values of the Rome Statute – the Court’s founding treaty – which Nigeria ratified on 27 September 2001. President Song, who was accompanied by Judge Akua Kuenyehia, President of the ICC’s Appeals Division, expressed his gratitude for Nigeria’s strong support of the ICC. President Jonathan and President Song agreed on the importance of dialogue and constructive engagement in resolving challenges currently facing the Court.
The ICC and the AU share the same values of building peace, promoting the rule of law and fighting impunity for the most serious crimes. Whereas the Court is a judicial institution bound by its legal rules as established by States, political concerns and legislative matters can be discussed in the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute which will meet on 20-28 November 2013 in The Hague, Netherlands.
ICC President Song and Judge Kuenyehia also visited Nigeria’s National Assembly where they met with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, H.E. Mr Emeka Ehidioha as well as the chairpersons of several House Committees. Issued discussed included the Court’s role in the global fight against impunity and the status of the Nigerian draft legislation on implementing the Rome Statute at national level.
For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or +31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: fadi.el-abdallah@icc-cpi.
You can also follow the Court’s activities on YouTube and Twitter