Barnacle Grenada - Grenada Newspaper and Business Journal

New York, 26 September 2011 — The Advisory Board of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court– a civil society network of more than 2,500 NGOs in 150 countries advocating for a fair, effective and independent International Criminal Court (ICC) and improved access to justice for victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity – held its fall meeting today in New York (USA) to discuss issues central to the global justice movement. At the meeting, the board reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against impunity and discussed the challenges that the ICC and international justice community is currently facing.

“The establishment of the ICC was a watershed moment in the history of international justice, and the unprecedented partnership of civil society organizations, like-minded governments, leaders and others was crucial to the creation of the Court” said William R. Pace, convenor of the Coalition and Advisory Board member. “The ICC has become a major actor in global conflict management sooner than anyone expected. With very important ICC elections approaching and an increasing number of situations in which the Court is involved, this global partnership will be more significant than ever,” he stated.

Chaired by The Honorable Kofi Annan and composed of several high-level personalities, the Advisory Board welcomed two new members in 2011: Dr. Jonathan Fanton and Ms. Pam Omidyar. Dr. Fanton is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Visiting Fellow at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College and the former president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Ms. Omidyar is the founder and chair of Humanity United and the co-founder of the Omidyar Network.

The Coalition’s Advisory Board held a one-day meeting to tackle key topics related to international justice, including the ICC leadership change which will take place in December 2011 with the election of six new judges and a new chief prosecutor, as well as discussing how the Board could help address other pressing challenges for the ICC and the Rome Statute System.

At the meeting, Board members reaffirmed their commitment to the cause of international justice and noted the need for support from civil society, governments and intergovernmental entities, and other institutions. “The members of the Advisory Board recognize the importance of the ICC at this very pivotal time and are committed to supporting the global civil society movement to advance international justice and the ICC. We urge leaders and people around the world to join in this partnership and help secure the end of impunity,” Board members stated.