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This article by Kofi Annan originally appeared on the website of The Guardian. The recently announced withdrawal from the international criminal court (ICC) by Burundi, Gambia and South Africa, following earlier threats from some other African countries, has created the impression that Africa is hostile to the court. Let me emphasise, however,…
State impunity is back in fashion – we need the international court more than ever
This article by Kofi Annan originally appeared on the website of The Guardian. The recently announced withdrawal from the international criminal court (ICC) by Burundi, Gambia and South Africa, following earlier threats from some other African countries, has created the impression that Africa is hostile to the court. Let me emphasise, however, that the people of Africa, and particularly the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and members of those communities affected by genocide, stand by the ICC. Most of the continent’s democratic governments stand by the ICC. I stand by the ICC, because the most heinous crimes…
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This article originally appeared in the Financial Times on 16 June 2016. By David Pilling. Kofi Annan defends International Criminal Court despite Africa row Ex-UN secretary-general rejects charges of court bias against continent Kofi Annan, former UN secretary-general, has strongly defended the International Criminal Court, arguing that if Africans and others cannot get…
Kofi Annan defends International Criminal Court despite Africa row
This article originally appeared in the Financial Times on 16 June 2016. By David Pilling. Kofi Annan defends International Criminal Court despite Africa row Ex-UN secretary-general rejects charges of court bias against continent Kofi Annan, former UN secretary-general, has strongly defended the International Criminal Court, arguing that if Africans and others cannot get justice in their domestic courts they should seek it abroad. His backing of the ICC comes amid growing threats from African leaders to quit The Hague-based court and follows the collapse of its case against top Kenyan politicians. In April, the ICC dropped charges against William Ruto, Kenya’s…
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International Herald Tribune http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/opinion/31iht-edannan.html Kofi Annan calls for an end to impunity The establishment of the International Criminal Court followed the gravest of crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Republic of Yugoslavia. In both cases, as we know to our shame, the United Nations and international community failed to take decisive…
Justice vs. Impunity
International Herald Tribune http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/opinion/31iht-edannan.html Kofi Annan calls for an end to impunity The establishment of the International Criminal Court followed the gravest of crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Republic of Yugoslavia. In both cases, as we know to our shame, the United Nations and international community failed to take decisive and forceful action to protect the victims. These terrible events did however, shock the world into action. Ad-hoc tribunals were set up to bring those responsible to justice. The Rome conference in 1998 agreed to establish an International Criminal Court to help end the global culture of impunity.…
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Kampala, Uganda “Further progress will require vision, a strong sense of purpose and even courage…” Attached PDF 100531 Kampala ICC Review Conference final President Christian Wenaweser, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, President Museveni, President Song, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honour to be with you today at this, the first Review…
Kofi Annan addresses the First Review Conference of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Kampala, Uganda “Further progress will require vision, a strong sense of purpose and even courage…” Attached PDF 100531 Kampala ICC Review Conference final President Christian Wenaweser, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, President Museveni, President Song, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honour to be with you today at this, the first Review Conference of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It marks another important milestone on the long journey to ending impunity for the gravest of crimes. Along with many others, I have been part of this journey. I have had the…
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The Concord Times (Sierra Leone) http://allafrica.com/mobile/stories/200907011000.html Not applicable Former UN chief Kofi Annan has challenged African leaders over the position and existence of the International Criminal Court, ICC; an institution the latter have dismissed as a fixated machination by the west. Former UN chief Kofi Annan has challenged African leaders over the…
Annan Defends International Court
The Concord Times (Sierra Leone) http://allafrica.com/mobile/stories/200907011000.html Not applicable Former UN chief Kofi Annan has challenged African leaders over the position and existence of the International Criminal Court, ICC; an institution the latter have dismissed as a fixated machination by the west. Former UN chief Kofi Annan has challenged African leaders over the position and existence of the International Criminal Court, ICC; an institution the latter have dismissed as a fixated machination by the west. His comment came ahead of today’s meeting, the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union in Sirte, Libya, to discuss inter alia the ‘unorthodox…
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International Herald Tribune (US) https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/opinion/30iht-edannan.html Writing in the International Herald Tribune ahead of the African Union Summit in Libya, Kofi Annan calls on the African Union not to abandon its promise to fight impunity for those responsible for the gravest crimes against humanity. “The African Union should not abandon its promise to…
Africa and the International Court
International Herald Tribune (US) https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/opinion/30iht-edannan.html Writing in the International Herald Tribune ahead of the African Union Summit in Libya, Kofi Annan calls on the African Union not to abandon its promise to fight impunity for those responsible for the gravest crimes against humanity. “The African Union should not abandon its promise to fight impunity. Unless indicted war criminals are held to account, regardless of their rank, others tempted to emulate them will not be deterred, and African people will suffer” Eleven years ago when I opened the Rome conference that led to the founding of the International Criminal Court, I…
