ICC - The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand visits the International Criminal Court

The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand visits the International Criminal Court

ICC-CPI-20040603-54

The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 3 June 2004. During her visit she met with the President of the Court, H.E. Judge Philippe Kirsch, the Chief Prosecutor, Mr. Luis Moreno Ocampo and the Registrar, Mr. Bruno Cathala.

In his welcoming speech, President Kirsch commended New Zealand for the immense support the country has provided to the ICC from the beginning, stressing that such support was essential from all States Parties, now that the Court was moving from the preparation to the operational phase.  President Kirsch updated the Prime Minister on the recent work by the Judges to finalise the Regulations of the Court and on their other ongoing preparatory work.

He also thanked New Zealand for becoming one of the first parties to the Agreement of the Privileges and Immunities of the ICC (APIC). Once entered into force, the Agreement will provide the Court such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the fulfilment of its mandate within the territories of the States Parties. President Kirsch expressed his sincere hope that other States would soon become parties to the Agreement which will remain open for signature at the United Nations Headquarters in New York until 30 June 2004.

The Prime Minister was also updated on the work in progress within the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP). The Prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo informed her that the OTP was preparing its assessment of two situations, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and that it was currently working with the two States concerned. He added that the OTP was still in the process of team building and that a shortlist for the second position of Deputy Prosecutor was currently being prepared. The election process will take place during the next meeting of the Assembly of States Parties in September.

The Registrar underlined the progress regarding the process of building a common administrative platform supporting all of the organs of the Court. Asked about Defence issues, Mr. Cathala explained that the Registry is involved in extensive consultations with a large number of organisations which represent counsel. He added that a consensus on a draft Code of Conduct for Defence Counsel had been reached and that it would be presented to the Assembly of States Parties by the President. With regard to victims and witnesses issues, he said that the Court was continuing in its work to establish systems and procedures to assist them and that the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims had been established.

The ICC is the first permanent criminal court established by an international treaty. As of 3 June 2004, 94 States are Parties to the Rome Statute.