criminal

UN-backed probe of illegal armed groups in Guatemala issues first report

9 September 2008
The independent body set up with United Nations help to investigate the activities of illegal armed groups in Guatemala has presented its first report, finding that clandestine criminal elements have become “encrusted” in State institutions in the Central American country.
Silvana Arbia

New registrar of International Criminal Court vows to strive to protect witnesses

17 April 2008
Protecting witnesses will be a major challenge for the International Criminal Court as the tribunal prepares to conduct its first trial this year, the incoming ICC registrar said today.

International Criminal Court already changing behaviour, says Prosecutor

2 July 2007
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is already moderating the behaviour of countries and raising awareness among local communities about their right to be protected from war crimes, even before its first case has gone to trial, the Court’s Prosecutor has said.

International Criminal Court working group nearing agreement on crime of aggression

31 January 2007
The countries overseeing the structure and management of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are making “very good progress” towards agreement on a definition of the crime of aggression, the head of a key working group told a press conference at United Nations Headquarters today.

International Criminal Court hearings start in case seen by UN as move against impunity

9 November 2006
Hearings began today to determine whether a former militia leader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) accused of recruiting child soldiers will be the first person tried before the International Criminal Court (ICC), in a case which United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has described as sending a message that impunity will not be tolerated.

Seminar on best practices of UN-affiliated criminal tribunals held in Sierra Leone

30 June 2005
The Prosecutors of the United Nations-affiliated criminal tribunals have met in Sierra Leone to review what has been learned from the many ad hoc criminal tribunals, including how best to deal with immunity, amnesty, child soldiers and forced marriages.

Annan urges stepped up ratification of International Criminal Court treaty

12 January 2004
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged a meeting of Arab States to intensify efforts to ratify the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Sergio Vieira de Mello

Top UN rights official offers countries help with laws on International Criminal Court

18 December 2002
The top United Nations human rights official today pledged his Office's readiness to help countries with legislation that would enable judges to carry out national prosecutions under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

US says it will not become party to Rome Statute of International Criminal Court

6 May 2002
The United States has formally advised United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan that it does not intend to become a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, a UN spokesman said today.

Preparatory panel on International Criminal Court begins session in New York

24 September 2001
The United Nations panel laying the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the International Criminal Court opened a two-week session at United Nations Headquarters in New York today, hearing a call for the inclusion of terrorism in the court's Statute.